FOOTNOTES:

Cant. XII.Artegall doth Sir Burbon aide,And blames for changing shield:He with the great Grantorto fights,And slaieth him in field.

Cant. XII.

Artegall doth Sir Burbon aide,And blames for changing shield:He with the great Grantorto fights,And slaieth him in field.

Artegall doth Sir Burbon aide,

And blames for changing shield:

He with the great Grantorto fights,

And slaieth him in field.

O Sacred hunger of ambitious mindes,iAnd impotent desire of men to raine,Whom neither dread of God, that deuils bindes,Nor lawes of men, that common weales containe,Nor bands of nature, that wilde beastes restraine,Can keepe from outrage, and from doing wrong,Where they may hope a kingdome to obtaine.No faith so firme, no trust can be so strong,No loue so lasting then, that may enduren[387]long.Witnesse mayBurbonbe, whom all the bands,iiWhich may a Knight assure, had surely bound,Vntill the loue of Lordship and of landsMade him become most faithlesse and vnsound:And witnesse beGerioneofound,Who for like cause faireBelgedid oppresse,And right and wrong most cruelly confound:And so be nowGrantorto, who no lesseThen all the rest burst out to all outragiousnesse.Gainst whom SirArtegall, long hauing sinceiiiTaken in hand th’exploit, being theretooAppointed by that mightie Faerie Prince,GreatGloriane, that Tyrant to fordoo,Through other great aduentures hethertooHad it forslackt. But now time drawing ny,To him assynd, her high beheast to doo,To the sea shore he gan his way apply,To weete if shipping readie he mote there descry.Tho when they came to the sea coast, they foundivA ship all readie (as good fortune fell)To put to sea, with whom they did compound,To passe them ouer, where them list to tell:The winde and weather serued them so well,That in one day they with the coast did fall;Whereas they readie found them to repell,Great hostes of men in order martiall,Which them forbad to land, and footing did forstall.But nathemore would they from land refraine,vBut when as nigh vnto the shore they drew,That foot of man might sound the bottome plaine,Talusinto the sea did forth issew,Though darts from shore and stones they at him threw;And wading through the waues with stedfast sway,Maugre the might of all those troupes in vew,Did win the shore, whence he them chast away,And made to fly, like doues, whom the Eagle[388]doth affray.The whyles SirArtegall, with that old knightviDid forth descend, there being none them neare,And forward marched to a towne in sight.By this came tydings to the Tyrants eare,By those, which earst did fly away for feareOf their arriuall: wherewith troubled sore,He all his forces streight to him did reare,And forth issuing with his scouts afore,Meant them to haue incountred, ere they left the shore.But ere he marched farre, he with them met,viiAnd fiercely charged them with all his force;ButTalussternely did vpon them set,And brusht, and battred them without remorse,That on the ground he left full many a corse;Ne any able was him to withstand,But he them ouerthrew both man and horse,That they lay scattred ouer all the land,As thicke as doth the seede after the sowers hand.TillArtegallhim seeing so to rage,viiiWilld him to stay, and signe of truce did make:To which all harkning, did a while asswageTheir forces furie, and their terror slake;Till he an Herauld cald, and to him spake,Willing him wend vnto the Tyrant streight,And tell him that not for such slaughters sakeHe thether came, but for to trie the rightOf fayreIrenaescause with him in single fight.And willed him for to reclayme with speedixHis scattred people, ere they all were slaine,And time and place conuenient to areed,In which they two the combat might darraine.Which message whenGrantortoheard, full fayneAnd glad he was the slaughter so to stay,And pointed for the combat twixt them twayneThe morrow next, ne gaue him longer day.So sounded the retraite, and drew his folke away.That night SirArtegalldid cause his tentxThere to be pitched on the open plaine;For he had giuen streight commaundement,That none should dare him once to entertaine:Which none durst breake, though many would right faineFor fayreIrena, whom they loued deare.But yet oldSergisdid so well him paine,That from close friends, that dar’d not to appeare,He all things did puruay, which for them needfull weare.The morrow next, that was the dismall day,xiAppointed forIrenasdeath before,So soone as it did to the world displayHis chearefull face, and light to men restore,The heauy Mayd, to whom none tydings boreOfArtegalls[389]arryuall, her to free,Lookt vp with eyes full sad and hart full sore;Weening her lifes last howre then neare to bee,Sith no redemption nigh she did nor heare nor see.Then vp she rose, and on her selfe did dightxiiMost squalid garments, fit for such a day,And with dull countenance, and with doleful spright,She forth was brought in sorrowfull dismay,For to receiue the doome of her decay.But comming to the place, and finding thereSirArtegall, in battailous arrayWayting his foe, it did her dead hart cheare,And new life to her lent, in midst of deadly feare.Like as a tender Rose in open plaine,xiiiThat with vntimely drought nigh withered was,And hung the head, soone as few drops of raineThereon distill, and deaw her daintie face,Gins to looke vp, and with fresh wonted graceDispreds the glorie of her leaues gay;Such wasIrenascountenance, such her case,WhenArtegallshe saw in that array,There wayting for the Tyrant, till it was farre day.Who came at length, with proud presumpteous[390]gate,xivInto the field, as if he fearelesse were,All armed in a cote of yron plate,Of great defence to ward the deadly feare,And on his head a steele cap he did weareOf colour rustie browne, but sure and strong;And in his hand an huge Polaxe did beare,Whose steale[391]was yron studded, but not long,With which he wont to fight, to iustifie his wrong.Of stature huge and hideous he was,xvLike to a Giant for his monstrous hight,And did in strength most sorts of men surpas,Ne euer any found his match in might;Thereto he had great skill in single fight:His face was vgly, and his countenance sterne,That could haue frayd one with the very sight,And gaped like a gulfe, when he did gerne,That whether man or monster one could scarse discerne.Soone as he did within the listes appeare,xviWith dreadfull looke heArtegallbeheld,As if he would haue daunted him with feare,And grinning griesly, did against him weldHis deadly weapon, which in hand he held.But th’Elfin swayne, that oft had seene like sight,Was with his ghastly count’nance nothing queld,But gan him streight to buckle to the fight,And cast his shield about, to be in readie plight.The trompets sound, and they together goe,xviiWith dreadfull terror, and with fell intent;And their huge strokes full daungerously bestow,To doe most dammage, where as most they ment.But with such[392]force and furie violent,The tyrant thundred his thicke blowes so fast,That through the yron walles their way they rent,And euen to the vitall parts they past,Ne ought could them endure, but all they cleft or brast.Which cruell outrage when asArtegallxviiiDid well auize, thenceforth with warie heedHe shund his strokes, where euer they did fall,And way did giue vnto their gracelesse speed:As when a skilfull Marriner doth reedA storme approching, that doth perill threat,He will not bide the daunger of such dread.But strikes his sayles, and vereth his mainsheat,And lends vnto it leaue the emptie ayre to beat.So did the Faerie knight himselfe abeare,xixAnd stouped oft his head from shame to shield;No shame to stoupe, ones head more high to reare,And much to gaine, a litle for to yield;So stoutest knights doen oftentimes in field.But still the tyrant sternely at him layd,And did his yron axe so nimbly wield,That many wounds into his flesh it made,And with his burdenous blowes him sore did ouerlade.Yet when as fit aduantage he did spy,xxThe whiles the cursed felon high did reareHis cruell hand, to smite him mortally,Vnder his stroke he to him stepping neare,Right in the flanke him strooke with deadly dreare,That the gore bloud thence gushing grieuously,Did vnderneath him like a pond appeare,And all his armour did with purple dye;Thereat he brayed loud, and yelled dreadfully.Yet the huge stroke, which he before intended,xxiKept on his course, as he did it direct,And with such monstrous poise adowne descended,That seemed nought could him from death protect:But he it well did ward with wise respect,And twixt him and the blow his shield did cast,Which thereon seizing, tooke no great effect,But byting deepe therein did sticke so fast,That by no meanes it backe againe he forth could wrast.Long while he tug’d and stroue, to get it out,xxiiAnd all his powre applyed thereunto,That he therewith the knight drew all about:Nathlesse, for all that euer he could doe,His axe he could not from his shield vndoe.WhichArtegallperceiuing, strooke no more,But loosing soone his shield, did it forgoe,And whiles he combred was therewith so sore,He gan at him let driue more fiercely then afore.So well he him pursew’d, that at the last,xxiiiHe stroke[393]him withChrysaoron the hed,That with the souse thereof full sore aghast,He staggered to and fro in doubtfull sted.Againe whiles he him saw so ill bested,He did him smite with all his might and maine,That falling on his mother earth he fed:Whom when he saw prostrated on the plaine,He lightly reft his head, to ease him of his paine.Which when the people round about him saw,xxivThey shouted all for ioy of his successe,Glad to be quit from that proud Tyrants awe,Which with strong powre did them long time oppresse;And running all with greedie ioyfulnesseTo faireIrena, at her feet did fall,And her adored with due humblenesse,As their true Liege and Princesse naturall;And eke her champions glorie sounded ouer all.Who streight her leading with meete maiestiexxvVnto the pallace, where their kings did rayne,Did her therein establish peaceablie,And to her kingdomes seat restore agayne;And all such persons, as did late maintayneThat Tyrants part, with close or open ayde,He sorely punished with heauie payne;That in short space, whiles there with her he stayd,Not one was left, that durst her once haue disobayd.During which time, that he did there remaine,xxviHis studie was true Iustice how to deale,And day and night employ’d his busie paineHow to reforme that ragged common-weale:And that same yron man which could reuealeAll hidden crimes, through all that realme he sent,To search out those, that vsd to rob and steale,Or did rebell gainst lawfull gouernment;On whom he did inflict most grieuous punishment.But ere he could reforme it thoroughly,xxviiHe through occasion called was away,To Faerie Court, that of necessityHis course of Iustice he was forst to stay,AndTalusto reuoke from the right way,In which he was that Realme for to redresse.But enuies cloud still dimmeth vertues ray.So hauing freedIrenafrom distresse,He tooke his leaue of her, there left in heauinesse.Tho as he backe returned from that land,xxviiiAnd there arriu’d againe, whence forth he set,He had not passed farre vpon the strand,When as two old ill fauour’d Hags he met,By the way side being together set,Two griesly creatures; and, to that their facesMost foule and filthie were, their garments yetBeing all rag’d and tatter’d, their disgracesDid much the more augment, and made most vgly cases.The one of them, that elder did appeare,xxixWith her dull eyes did seeme to looke askew,That her mis-shape much helpt; and her foule heareHung loose and loathsomely: Thereto her hewWas wan and leane, that all her teeth arew,And all her bones might through her cheekes be red;Her lips were like raw lether, pale and blew,And as she spake, therewith she slauered;Yet spake she seldom, but thought more, the lesse she sed.Her hands were foule and durtie, neuer washtxxxIn all her life, with long nayles ouer raught,Like puttocks clawes: with th’one of which she scrachtHer cursed head, although it itched naught;The other held a snake with venime fraught,On which she fed, and gnawed hungrily[394],As if that long she had not eaten ought;That round about her iawes one might descryThe bloudie gore and poyson dropping lothsomely.Her name wasEnuie, knowen well thereby;xxxiWhose nature is to grieue, and grudge at all,That euer she sees doen prays-worthily,Whose sight to her is greatest crosse, may fall,And vexeth so, that makes her eat her gall.For when she wanteth other thing to eat,She feedes on her owne maw vnnaturall,And of her owne foule entrayles makes her meat;Meat fit for such a monsters monsterous dyeat.And if she hapt of any good to heare,xxxiiThat had to any happily betid,Then would she inly fret, and grieue, and teareHer flesh for felnesse, which she inward hid:But if she heard of ill, that any did,Or harme, that any had, then would she makeGreat cheare, like one vnto a banquet bid;And in anothers losse great pleasure take,As she had got thereby, and gayned a great stake.The other nothing better was, then shee;xxxiiiAgreeing in bad will and cancred kynd,But in bad maner they did disagree:For what soEnuiegood or bad did fynd,She did conceale, and murder her owne mynd;But this, what euer euill she conceiued,Did spred abroad, and throw in th’open wynd.Yet this in all her words might be perceiued,That all she sought, was mens good name to haue bereaued.For what soeuer good by any sayd,xxxivOr doen she heard, she would streightwayes inuent,How to depraue, or slaunderously[395]vpbrayd,Or to misconstrue of a mans intent,And turne to ill the thing, that well was ment.Therefore she vsed often to resort,To common haunts, and companies frequent,To hearke what any one did good report,To blot the same with blame, or wrest in wicked sort.And if that any ill she heard of any,xxxvShe would it eeke, and make much worse by telling,And take great ioy to publish it to many,That euery matter worse was for her melling.Her name was hightDetraction, and her dwellingWas neare toEnuie, euen her neighbour next;A wicked hag, andEnuyselfe excellingIn mischiefe: for her selfe she onely vext;But this same both her selfe, and others eke perplext.Her face was vgly, and her mouth distort,xxxviFoming with poyson round about her gils,In which her cursed tongue full sharpe and shortAppear’d like Aspis sting, that closely kils,Or cruelly does wound, whom so she wils:A distaffe in her other hand she had,Vpon the which she litle spinnes, but spils,And faynes to weaue false tales and leasings bad,To throw amongst the good, which others had disprad.These two now had themselues combynd in one,xxxviiAnd linckt together gainst SirArtegall,For whom they wayted as his mortall fone,How they might make him into mischiefe fall,For freeing from their snaresIrenathrall,Besides vnto themselues they gotten hadA monster, which theBlatant beastmen call,A dreadfull feend of gods and men ydrad,Whom they by slights allur’d, and to their purpose lad.Such were these Hags, and so vnhandsome drest:xxxviiiWho when they nigh approching, had espydeSirArtegallreturn’d from his late quest,They both arose, and at him loudly cryde,As it had bene two shepheards curres, had scrydeA rauenous Wolfe amongst the scattered flockes.AndEnuiefirst, as she that first him eyde,Towardes him runs, and with rude flaring lockesAbout her eares, does beat her brest, and forhead knockes.Then from her mouth the gobbet she does take,xxxixThe which whyleare she was so greedilyDeuouring, euen that halfe-gnawen snake,And at him throwes it most despightfully.The cursed Serpent, though she hungrilyEarst chawd thereon, yet was not all so dead,But that some life remayned secretly,And as he past afore withouten dread,Bit him behind, that long the marke was to be read.Then th’other comming neare, gan him reuile,xlAnd fouly rayle, with all she could inuent;Saying, that he had with vnmanly guile,And foule abusion both his honour blent,And that bright sword, the sword of Iustice lent,[396]Had stayned with reprochfull crueltie,In guiltlesse blood of many an innocent:As forGrandtorto, him with treacherieAnd traynes hauing surpriz’d, he fouly did to die.Thereto the Blatant beast by them set onxliAt him began aloud to barke and bay,With bitter rage and fell contention,That all the woods and rockes nigh to that way,Began to quake and tremble with dismay;And all the aire rebellowed againe.So dreadfully his hundred tongues did bray,And euermore those hags them selues did paine,To sharpen him, and their owne cursed tongs did straine.And still among most bitter wordes they spake,xliiMost shamefull, most vnrighteous, most vntrew,That they the mildest man aliue would makeForget his patience, and yeeld vengeaunce dewTo her, that so false sclaunders[397]at him threw.And more to make them pierce and wound more deepe,She with the sting, which in her vile tongue grew,Did sharpen them, and in fresh poyson steepe:Yet he past on, and seem’d of them to take no keepe.ButTalushearing her so lewdly raile,xliiiAnd speake so ill of him, that well deserued,Would her haue chastiz’d with his yron flaile,If her SirArtegallhad not preserued,And him forbidden, who his heast obserued.So much the more at him still did she scold,And stones did cast, yet he for nought would swerueFrom his right course, but still the way did holdTo Faery Court, where what him fell shall else be told.

O Sacred hunger of ambitious mindes,i

And impotent desire of men to raine,

Whom neither dread of God, that deuils bindes,

Nor lawes of men, that common weales containe,

Nor bands of nature, that wilde beastes restraine,

Can keepe from outrage, and from doing wrong,

Where they may hope a kingdome to obtaine.

No faith so firme, no trust can be so strong,

No loue so lasting then, that may enduren[387]long.

Witnesse mayBurbonbe, whom all the bands,iiWhich may a Knight assure, had surely bound,Vntill the loue of Lordship and of landsMade him become most faithlesse and vnsound:And witnesse beGerioneofound,Who for like cause faireBelgedid oppresse,And right and wrong most cruelly confound:And so be nowGrantorto, who no lesseThen all the rest burst out to all outragiousnesse.

Witnesse mayBurbonbe, whom all the bands,ii

Which may a Knight assure, had surely bound,

Vntill the loue of Lordship and of lands

Made him become most faithlesse and vnsound:

And witnesse beGerioneofound,

Who for like cause faireBelgedid oppresse,

And right and wrong most cruelly confound:

And so be nowGrantorto, who no lesse

Then all the rest burst out to all outragiousnesse.

Gainst whom SirArtegall, long hauing sinceiiiTaken in hand th’exploit, being theretooAppointed by that mightie Faerie Prince,GreatGloriane, that Tyrant to fordoo,Through other great aduentures hethertooHad it forslackt. But now time drawing ny,To him assynd, her high beheast to doo,To the sea shore he gan his way apply,To weete if shipping readie he mote there descry.

Gainst whom SirArtegall, long hauing sinceiii

Taken in hand th’exploit, being theretoo

Appointed by that mightie Faerie Prince,

GreatGloriane, that Tyrant to fordoo,

Through other great aduentures hethertoo

Had it forslackt. But now time drawing ny,

To him assynd, her high beheast to doo,

To the sea shore he gan his way apply,

To weete if shipping readie he mote there descry.

Tho when they came to the sea coast, they foundivA ship all readie (as good fortune fell)To put to sea, with whom they did compound,To passe them ouer, where them list to tell:The winde and weather serued them so well,That in one day they with the coast did fall;Whereas they readie found them to repell,Great hostes of men in order martiall,Which them forbad to land, and footing did forstall.

Tho when they came to the sea coast, they foundiv

A ship all readie (as good fortune fell)

To put to sea, with whom they did compound,

To passe them ouer, where them list to tell:

The winde and weather serued them so well,

That in one day they with the coast did fall;

Whereas they readie found them to repell,

Great hostes of men in order martiall,

Which them forbad to land, and footing did forstall.

But nathemore would they from land refraine,vBut when as nigh vnto the shore they drew,That foot of man might sound the bottome plaine,Talusinto the sea did forth issew,Though darts from shore and stones they at him threw;And wading through the waues with stedfast sway,Maugre the might of all those troupes in vew,Did win the shore, whence he them chast away,And made to fly, like doues, whom the Eagle[388]doth affray.

But nathemore would they from land refraine,v

But when as nigh vnto the shore they drew,

That foot of man might sound the bottome plaine,

Talusinto the sea did forth issew,

Though darts from shore and stones they at him threw;

And wading through the waues with stedfast sway,

Maugre the might of all those troupes in vew,

Did win the shore, whence he them chast away,

And made to fly, like doues, whom the Eagle[388]doth affray.

The whyles SirArtegall, with that old knightviDid forth descend, there being none them neare,And forward marched to a towne in sight.By this came tydings to the Tyrants eare,By those, which earst did fly away for feareOf their arriuall: wherewith troubled sore,He all his forces streight to him did reare,And forth issuing with his scouts afore,Meant them to haue incountred, ere they left the shore.

The whyles SirArtegall, with that old knightvi

Did forth descend, there being none them neare,

And forward marched to a towne in sight.

By this came tydings to the Tyrants eare,

By those, which earst did fly away for feare

Of their arriuall: wherewith troubled sore,

He all his forces streight to him did reare,

And forth issuing with his scouts afore,

Meant them to haue incountred, ere they left the shore.

But ere he marched farre, he with them met,viiAnd fiercely charged them with all his force;ButTalussternely did vpon them set,And brusht, and battred them without remorse,That on the ground he left full many a corse;Ne any able was him to withstand,But he them ouerthrew both man and horse,That they lay scattred ouer all the land,As thicke as doth the seede after the sowers hand.

But ere he marched farre, he with them met,vii

And fiercely charged them with all his force;

ButTalussternely did vpon them set,

And brusht, and battred them without remorse,

That on the ground he left full many a corse;

Ne any able was him to withstand,

But he them ouerthrew both man and horse,

That they lay scattred ouer all the land,

As thicke as doth the seede after the sowers hand.

TillArtegallhim seeing so to rage,viiiWilld him to stay, and signe of truce did make:To which all harkning, did a while asswageTheir forces furie, and their terror slake;Till he an Herauld cald, and to him spake,Willing him wend vnto the Tyrant streight,And tell him that not for such slaughters sakeHe thether came, but for to trie the rightOf fayreIrenaescause with him in single fight.

TillArtegallhim seeing so to rage,viii

Willd him to stay, and signe of truce did make:

To which all harkning, did a while asswage

Their forces furie, and their terror slake;

Till he an Herauld cald, and to him spake,

Willing him wend vnto the Tyrant streight,

And tell him that not for such slaughters sake

He thether came, but for to trie the right

Of fayreIrenaescause with him in single fight.

And willed him for to reclayme with speedixHis scattred people, ere they all were slaine,And time and place conuenient to areed,In which they two the combat might darraine.Which message whenGrantortoheard, full fayneAnd glad he was the slaughter so to stay,And pointed for the combat twixt them twayneThe morrow next, ne gaue him longer day.So sounded the retraite, and drew his folke away.

And willed him for to reclayme with speedix

His scattred people, ere they all were slaine,

And time and place conuenient to areed,

In which they two the combat might darraine.

Which message whenGrantortoheard, full fayne

And glad he was the slaughter so to stay,

And pointed for the combat twixt them twayne

The morrow next, ne gaue him longer day.

So sounded the retraite, and drew his folke away.

That night SirArtegalldid cause his tentxThere to be pitched on the open plaine;For he had giuen streight commaundement,That none should dare him once to entertaine:Which none durst breake, though many would right faineFor fayreIrena, whom they loued deare.But yet oldSergisdid so well him paine,That from close friends, that dar’d not to appeare,He all things did puruay, which for them needfull weare.

That night SirArtegalldid cause his tentx

There to be pitched on the open plaine;

For he had giuen streight commaundement,

That none should dare him once to entertaine:

Which none durst breake, though many would right faine

For fayreIrena, whom they loued deare.

But yet oldSergisdid so well him paine,

That from close friends, that dar’d not to appeare,

He all things did puruay, which for them needfull weare.

The morrow next, that was the dismall day,xiAppointed forIrenasdeath before,So soone as it did to the world displayHis chearefull face, and light to men restore,The heauy Mayd, to whom none tydings boreOfArtegalls[389]arryuall, her to free,Lookt vp with eyes full sad and hart full sore;Weening her lifes last howre then neare to bee,Sith no redemption nigh she did nor heare nor see.

The morrow next, that was the dismall day,xi

Appointed forIrenasdeath before,

So soone as it did to the world display

His chearefull face, and light to men restore,

The heauy Mayd, to whom none tydings bore

OfArtegalls[389]arryuall, her to free,

Lookt vp with eyes full sad and hart full sore;

Weening her lifes last howre then neare to bee,

Sith no redemption nigh she did nor heare nor see.

Then vp she rose, and on her selfe did dightxiiMost squalid garments, fit for such a day,And with dull countenance, and with doleful spright,She forth was brought in sorrowfull dismay,For to receiue the doome of her decay.But comming to the place, and finding thereSirArtegall, in battailous arrayWayting his foe, it did her dead hart cheare,And new life to her lent, in midst of deadly feare.

Then vp she rose, and on her selfe did dightxii

Most squalid garments, fit for such a day,

And with dull countenance, and with doleful spright,

She forth was brought in sorrowfull dismay,

For to receiue the doome of her decay.

But comming to the place, and finding there

SirArtegall, in battailous array

Wayting his foe, it did her dead hart cheare,

And new life to her lent, in midst of deadly feare.

Like as a tender Rose in open plaine,xiiiThat with vntimely drought nigh withered was,And hung the head, soone as few drops of raineThereon distill, and deaw her daintie face,Gins to looke vp, and with fresh wonted graceDispreds the glorie of her leaues gay;Such wasIrenascountenance, such her case,WhenArtegallshe saw in that array,There wayting for the Tyrant, till it was farre day.

Like as a tender Rose in open plaine,xiii

That with vntimely drought nigh withered was,

And hung the head, soone as few drops of raine

Thereon distill, and deaw her daintie face,

Gins to looke vp, and with fresh wonted grace

Dispreds the glorie of her leaues gay;

Such wasIrenascountenance, such her case,

WhenArtegallshe saw in that array,

There wayting for the Tyrant, till it was farre day.

Who came at length, with proud presumpteous[390]gate,xivInto the field, as if he fearelesse were,All armed in a cote of yron plate,Of great defence to ward the deadly feare,And on his head a steele cap he did weareOf colour rustie browne, but sure and strong;And in his hand an huge Polaxe did beare,Whose steale[391]was yron studded, but not long,With which he wont to fight, to iustifie his wrong.

Who came at length, with proud presumpteous[390]gate,xiv

Into the field, as if he fearelesse were,

All armed in a cote of yron plate,

Of great defence to ward the deadly feare,

And on his head a steele cap he did weare

Of colour rustie browne, but sure and strong;

And in his hand an huge Polaxe did beare,

Whose steale[391]was yron studded, but not long,

With which he wont to fight, to iustifie his wrong.

Of stature huge and hideous he was,xvLike to a Giant for his monstrous hight,And did in strength most sorts of men surpas,Ne euer any found his match in might;Thereto he had great skill in single fight:His face was vgly, and his countenance sterne,That could haue frayd one with the very sight,And gaped like a gulfe, when he did gerne,That whether man or monster one could scarse discerne.

Of stature huge and hideous he was,xv

Like to a Giant for his monstrous hight,

And did in strength most sorts of men surpas,

Ne euer any found his match in might;

Thereto he had great skill in single fight:

His face was vgly, and his countenance sterne,

That could haue frayd one with the very sight,

And gaped like a gulfe, when he did gerne,

That whether man or monster one could scarse discerne.

Soone as he did within the listes appeare,xviWith dreadfull looke heArtegallbeheld,As if he would haue daunted him with feare,And grinning griesly, did against him weldHis deadly weapon, which in hand he held.But th’Elfin swayne, that oft had seene like sight,Was with his ghastly count’nance nothing queld,But gan him streight to buckle to the fight,And cast his shield about, to be in readie plight.

Soone as he did within the listes appeare,xvi

With dreadfull looke heArtegallbeheld,

As if he would haue daunted him with feare,

And grinning griesly, did against him weld

His deadly weapon, which in hand he held.

But th’Elfin swayne, that oft had seene like sight,

Was with his ghastly count’nance nothing queld,

But gan him streight to buckle to the fight,

And cast his shield about, to be in readie plight.

The trompets sound, and they together goe,xviiWith dreadfull terror, and with fell intent;And their huge strokes full daungerously bestow,To doe most dammage, where as most they ment.But with such[392]force and furie violent,The tyrant thundred his thicke blowes so fast,That through the yron walles their way they rent,And euen to the vitall parts they past,Ne ought could them endure, but all they cleft or brast.

The trompets sound, and they together goe,xvii

With dreadfull terror, and with fell intent;

And their huge strokes full daungerously bestow,

To doe most dammage, where as most they ment.

But with such[392]force and furie violent,

The tyrant thundred his thicke blowes so fast,

That through the yron walles their way they rent,

And euen to the vitall parts they past,

Ne ought could them endure, but all they cleft or brast.

Which cruell outrage when asArtegallxviiiDid well auize, thenceforth with warie heedHe shund his strokes, where euer they did fall,And way did giue vnto their gracelesse speed:As when a skilfull Marriner doth reedA storme approching, that doth perill threat,He will not bide the daunger of such dread.But strikes his sayles, and vereth his mainsheat,And lends vnto it leaue the emptie ayre to beat.

Which cruell outrage when asArtegallxviii

Did well auize, thenceforth with warie heed

He shund his strokes, where euer they did fall,

And way did giue vnto their gracelesse speed:

As when a skilfull Marriner doth reed

A storme approching, that doth perill threat,

He will not bide the daunger of such dread.

But strikes his sayles, and vereth his mainsheat,

And lends vnto it leaue the emptie ayre to beat.

So did the Faerie knight himselfe abeare,xixAnd stouped oft his head from shame to shield;No shame to stoupe, ones head more high to reare,And much to gaine, a litle for to yield;So stoutest knights doen oftentimes in field.But still the tyrant sternely at him layd,And did his yron axe so nimbly wield,That many wounds into his flesh it made,And with his burdenous blowes him sore did ouerlade.

So did the Faerie knight himselfe abeare,xix

And stouped oft his head from shame to shield;

No shame to stoupe, ones head more high to reare,

And much to gaine, a litle for to yield;

So stoutest knights doen oftentimes in field.

But still the tyrant sternely at him layd,

And did his yron axe so nimbly wield,

That many wounds into his flesh it made,

And with his burdenous blowes him sore did ouerlade.

Yet when as fit aduantage he did spy,xxThe whiles the cursed felon high did reareHis cruell hand, to smite him mortally,Vnder his stroke he to him stepping neare,Right in the flanke him strooke with deadly dreare,That the gore bloud thence gushing grieuously,Did vnderneath him like a pond appeare,And all his armour did with purple dye;Thereat he brayed loud, and yelled dreadfully.

Yet when as fit aduantage he did spy,xx

The whiles the cursed felon high did reare

His cruell hand, to smite him mortally,

Vnder his stroke he to him stepping neare,

Right in the flanke him strooke with deadly dreare,

That the gore bloud thence gushing grieuously,

Did vnderneath him like a pond appeare,

And all his armour did with purple dye;

Thereat he brayed loud, and yelled dreadfully.

Yet the huge stroke, which he before intended,xxiKept on his course, as he did it direct,And with such monstrous poise adowne descended,That seemed nought could him from death protect:But he it well did ward with wise respect,And twixt him and the blow his shield did cast,Which thereon seizing, tooke no great effect,But byting deepe therein did sticke so fast,That by no meanes it backe againe he forth could wrast.

Yet the huge stroke, which he before intended,xxi

Kept on his course, as he did it direct,

And with such monstrous poise adowne descended,

That seemed nought could him from death protect:

But he it well did ward with wise respect,

And twixt him and the blow his shield did cast,

Which thereon seizing, tooke no great effect,

But byting deepe therein did sticke so fast,

That by no meanes it backe againe he forth could wrast.

Long while he tug’d and stroue, to get it out,xxiiAnd all his powre applyed thereunto,That he therewith the knight drew all about:Nathlesse, for all that euer he could doe,His axe he could not from his shield vndoe.WhichArtegallperceiuing, strooke no more,But loosing soone his shield, did it forgoe,And whiles he combred was therewith so sore,He gan at him let driue more fiercely then afore.

Long while he tug’d and stroue, to get it out,xxii

And all his powre applyed thereunto,

That he therewith the knight drew all about:

Nathlesse, for all that euer he could doe,

His axe he could not from his shield vndoe.

WhichArtegallperceiuing, strooke no more,

But loosing soone his shield, did it forgoe,

And whiles he combred was therewith so sore,

He gan at him let driue more fiercely then afore.

So well he him pursew’d, that at the last,xxiiiHe stroke[393]him withChrysaoron the hed,That with the souse thereof full sore aghast,He staggered to and fro in doubtfull sted.Againe whiles he him saw so ill bested,He did him smite with all his might and maine,That falling on his mother earth he fed:Whom when he saw prostrated on the plaine,He lightly reft his head, to ease him of his paine.

So well he him pursew’d, that at the last,xxiii

He stroke[393]him withChrysaoron the hed,

That with the souse thereof full sore aghast,

He staggered to and fro in doubtfull sted.

Againe whiles he him saw so ill bested,

He did him smite with all his might and maine,

That falling on his mother earth he fed:

Whom when he saw prostrated on the plaine,

He lightly reft his head, to ease him of his paine.

Which when the people round about him saw,xxivThey shouted all for ioy of his successe,Glad to be quit from that proud Tyrants awe,Which with strong powre did them long time oppresse;And running all with greedie ioyfulnesseTo faireIrena, at her feet did fall,And her adored with due humblenesse,As their true Liege and Princesse naturall;And eke her champions glorie sounded ouer all.

Which when the people round about him saw,xxiv

They shouted all for ioy of his successe,

Glad to be quit from that proud Tyrants awe,

Which with strong powre did them long time oppresse;

And running all with greedie ioyfulnesse

To faireIrena, at her feet did fall,

And her adored with due humblenesse,

As their true Liege and Princesse naturall;

And eke her champions glorie sounded ouer all.

Who streight her leading with meete maiestiexxvVnto the pallace, where their kings did rayne,Did her therein establish peaceablie,And to her kingdomes seat restore agayne;And all such persons, as did late maintayneThat Tyrants part, with close or open ayde,He sorely punished with heauie payne;That in short space, whiles there with her he stayd,Not one was left, that durst her once haue disobayd.

Who streight her leading with meete maiestiexxv

Vnto the pallace, where their kings did rayne,

Did her therein establish peaceablie,

And to her kingdomes seat restore agayne;

And all such persons, as did late maintayne

That Tyrants part, with close or open ayde,

He sorely punished with heauie payne;

That in short space, whiles there with her he stayd,

Not one was left, that durst her once haue disobayd.

During which time, that he did there remaine,xxviHis studie was true Iustice how to deale,And day and night employ’d his busie paineHow to reforme that ragged common-weale:And that same yron man which could reuealeAll hidden crimes, through all that realme he sent,To search out those, that vsd to rob and steale,Or did rebell gainst lawfull gouernment;On whom he did inflict most grieuous punishment.

During which time, that he did there remaine,xxvi

His studie was true Iustice how to deale,

And day and night employ’d his busie paine

How to reforme that ragged common-weale:

And that same yron man which could reueale

All hidden crimes, through all that realme he sent,

To search out those, that vsd to rob and steale,

Or did rebell gainst lawfull gouernment;

On whom he did inflict most grieuous punishment.

But ere he could reforme it thoroughly,xxviiHe through occasion called was away,To Faerie Court, that of necessityHis course of Iustice he was forst to stay,AndTalusto reuoke from the right way,In which he was that Realme for to redresse.But enuies cloud still dimmeth vertues ray.So hauing freedIrenafrom distresse,He tooke his leaue of her, there left in heauinesse.

But ere he could reforme it thoroughly,xxvii

He through occasion called was away,

To Faerie Court, that of necessity

His course of Iustice he was forst to stay,

AndTalusto reuoke from the right way,

In which he was that Realme for to redresse.

But enuies cloud still dimmeth vertues ray.

So hauing freedIrenafrom distresse,

He tooke his leaue of her, there left in heauinesse.

Tho as he backe returned from that land,xxviiiAnd there arriu’d againe, whence forth he set,He had not passed farre vpon the strand,When as two old ill fauour’d Hags he met,By the way side being together set,Two griesly creatures; and, to that their facesMost foule and filthie were, their garments yetBeing all rag’d and tatter’d, their disgracesDid much the more augment, and made most vgly cases.

Tho as he backe returned from that land,xxviii

And there arriu’d againe, whence forth he set,

He had not passed farre vpon the strand,

When as two old ill fauour’d Hags he met,

By the way side being together set,

Two griesly creatures; and, to that their faces

Most foule and filthie were, their garments yet

Being all rag’d and tatter’d, their disgraces

Did much the more augment, and made most vgly cases.

The one of them, that elder did appeare,xxixWith her dull eyes did seeme to looke askew,That her mis-shape much helpt; and her foule heareHung loose and loathsomely: Thereto her hewWas wan and leane, that all her teeth arew,And all her bones might through her cheekes be red;Her lips were like raw lether, pale and blew,And as she spake, therewith she slauered;Yet spake she seldom, but thought more, the lesse she sed.

The one of them, that elder did appeare,xxix

With her dull eyes did seeme to looke askew,

That her mis-shape much helpt; and her foule heare

Hung loose and loathsomely: Thereto her hew

Was wan and leane, that all her teeth arew,

And all her bones might through her cheekes be red;

Her lips were like raw lether, pale and blew,

And as she spake, therewith she slauered;

Yet spake she seldom, but thought more, the lesse she sed.

Her hands were foule and durtie, neuer washtxxxIn all her life, with long nayles ouer raught,Like puttocks clawes: with th’one of which she scrachtHer cursed head, although it itched naught;The other held a snake with venime fraught,On which she fed, and gnawed hungrily[394],As if that long she had not eaten ought;That round about her iawes one might descryThe bloudie gore and poyson dropping lothsomely.

Her hands were foule and durtie, neuer washtxxx

In all her life, with long nayles ouer raught,

Like puttocks clawes: with th’one of which she scracht

Her cursed head, although it itched naught;

The other held a snake with venime fraught,

On which she fed, and gnawed hungrily[394],

As if that long she had not eaten ought;

That round about her iawes one might descry

The bloudie gore and poyson dropping lothsomely.

Her name wasEnuie, knowen well thereby;xxxiWhose nature is to grieue, and grudge at all,That euer she sees doen prays-worthily,Whose sight to her is greatest crosse, may fall,And vexeth so, that makes her eat her gall.For when she wanteth other thing to eat,She feedes on her owne maw vnnaturall,And of her owne foule entrayles makes her meat;Meat fit for such a monsters monsterous dyeat.

Her name wasEnuie, knowen well thereby;xxxi

Whose nature is to grieue, and grudge at all,

That euer she sees doen prays-worthily,

Whose sight to her is greatest crosse, may fall,

And vexeth so, that makes her eat her gall.

For when she wanteth other thing to eat,

She feedes on her owne maw vnnaturall,

And of her owne foule entrayles makes her meat;

Meat fit for such a monsters monsterous dyeat.

And if she hapt of any good to heare,xxxiiThat had to any happily betid,Then would she inly fret, and grieue, and teareHer flesh for felnesse, which she inward hid:But if she heard of ill, that any did,Or harme, that any had, then would she makeGreat cheare, like one vnto a banquet bid;And in anothers losse great pleasure take,As she had got thereby, and gayned a great stake.

And if she hapt of any good to heare,xxxii

That had to any happily betid,

Then would she inly fret, and grieue, and teare

Her flesh for felnesse, which she inward hid:

But if she heard of ill, that any did,

Or harme, that any had, then would she make

Great cheare, like one vnto a banquet bid;

And in anothers losse great pleasure take,

As she had got thereby, and gayned a great stake.

The other nothing better was, then shee;xxxiiiAgreeing in bad will and cancred kynd,But in bad maner they did disagree:For what soEnuiegood or bad did fynd,She did conceale, and murder her owne mynd;But this, what euer euill she conceiued,Did spred abroad, and throw in th’open wynd.Yet this in all her words might be perceiued,That all she sought, was mens good name to haue bereaued.

The other nothing better was, then shee;xxxiii

Agreeing in bad will and cancred kynd,

But in bad maner they did disagree:

For what soEnuiegood or bad did fynd,

She did conceale, and murder her owne mynd;

But this, what euer euill she conceiued,

Did spred abroad, and throw in th’open wynd.

Yet this in all her words might be perceiued,

That all she sought, was mens good name to haue bereaued.

For what soeuer good by any sayd,xxxivOr doen she heard, she would streightwayes inuent,How to depraue, or slaunderously[395]vpbrayd,Or to misconstrue of a mans intent,And turne to ill the thing, that well was ment.Therefore she vsed often to resort,To common haunts, and companies frequent,To hearke what any one did good report,To blot the same with blame, or wrest in wicked sort.

For what soeuer good by any sayd,xxxiv

Or doen she heard, she would streightwayes inuent,

How to depraue, or slaunderously[395]vpbrayd,

Or to misconstrue of a mans intent,

And turne to ill the thing, that well was ment.

Therefore she vsed often to resort,

To common haunts, and companies frequent,

To hearke what any one did good report,

To blot the same with blame, or wrest in wicked sort.

And if that any ill she heard of any,xxxvShe would it eeke, and make much worse by telling,And take great ioy to publish it to many,That euery matter worse was for her melling.Her name was hightDetraction, and her dwellingWas neare toEnuie, euen her neighbour next;A wicked hag, andEnuyselfe excellingIn mischiefe: for her selfe she onely vext;But this same both her selfe, and others eke perplext.

And if that any ill she heard of any,xxxv

She would it eeke, and make much worse by telling,

And take great ioy to publish it to many,

That euery matter worse was for her melling.

Her name was hightDetraction, and her dwelling

Was neare toEnuie, euen her neighbour next;

A wicked hag, andEnuyselfe excelling

In mischiefe: for her selfe she onely vext;

But this same both her selfe, and others eke perplext.

Her face was vgly, and her mouth distort,xxxviFoming with poyson round about her gils,In which her cursed tongue full sharpe and shortAppear’d like Aspis sting, that closely kils,Or cruelly does wound, whom so she wils:A distaffe in her other hand she had,Vpon the which she litle spinnes, but spils,And faynes to weaue false tales and leasings bad,To throw amongst the good, which others had disprad.

Her face was vgly, and her mouth distort,xxxvi

Foming with poyson round about her gils,

In which her cursed tongue full sharpe and short

Appear’d like Aspis sting, that closely kils,

Or cruelly does wound, whom so she wils:

A distaffe in her other hand she had,

Vpon the which she litle spinnes, but spils,

And faynes to weaue false tales and leasings bad,

To throw amongst the good, which others had disprad.

These two now had themselues combynd in one,xxxviiAnd linckt together gainst SirArtegall,For whom they wayted as his mortall fone,How they might make him into mischiefe fall,For freeing from their snaresIrenathrall,Besides vnto themselues they gotten hadA monster, which theBlatant beastmen call,A dreadfull feend of gods and men ydrad,Whom they by slights allur’d, and to their purpose lad.

These two now had themselues combynd in one,xxxvii

And linckt together gainst SirArtegall,

For whom they wayted as his mortall fone,

How they might make him into mischiefe fall,

For freeing from their snaresIrenathrall,

Besides vnto themselues they gotten had

A monster, which theBlatant beastmen call,

A dreadfull feend of gods and men ydrad,

Whom they by slights allur’d, and to their purpose lad.

Such were these Hags, and so vnhandsome drest:xxxviiiWho when they nigh approching, had espydeSirArtegallreturn’d from his late quest,They both arose, and at him loudly cryde,As it had bene two shepheards curres, had scrydeA rauenous Wolfe amongst the scattered flockes.AndEnuiefirst, as she that first him eyde,Towardes him runs, and with rude flaring lockesAbout her eares, does beat her brest, and forhead knockes.

Such were these Hags, and so vnhandsome drest:xxxviii

Who when they nigh approching, had espyde

SirArtegallreturn’d from his late quest,

They both arose, and at him loudly cryde,

As it had bene two shepheards curres, had scryde

A rauenous Wolfe amongst the scattered flockes.

AndEnuiefirst, as she that first him eyde,

Towardes him runs, and with rude flaring lockes

About her eares, does beat her brest, and forhead knockes.

Then from her mouth the gobbet she does take,xxxixThe which whyleare she was so greedilyDeuouring, euen that halfe-gnawen snake,And at him throwes it most despightfully.The cursed Serpent, though she hungrilyEarst chawd thereon, yet was not all so dead,But that some life remayned secretly,And as he past afore withouten dread,Bit him behind, that long the marke was to be read.

Then from her mouth the gobbet she does take,xxxix

The which whyleare she was so greedily

Deuouring, euen that halfe-gnawen snake,

And at him throwes it most despightfully.

The cursed Serpent, though she hungrily

Earst chawd thereon, yet was not all so dead,

But that some life remayned secretly,

And as he past afore withouten dread,

Bit him behind, that long the marke was to be read.

Then th’other comming neare, gan him reuile,xlAnd fouly rayle, with all she could inuent;Saying, that he had with vnmanly guile,And foule abusion both his honour blent,And that bright sword, the sword of Iustice lent,[396]Had stayned with reprochfull crueltie,In guiltlesse blood of many an innocent:As forGrandtorto, him with treacherieAnd traynes hauing surpriz’d, he fouly did to die.

Then th’other comming neare, gan him reuile,xl

And fouly rayle, with all she could inuent;

Saying, that he had with vnmanly guile,

And foule abusion both his honour blent,

And that bright sword, the sword of Iustice lent,[396]

Had stayned with reprochfull crueltie,

In guiltlesse blood of many an innocent:

As forGrandtorto, him with treacherie

And traynes hauing surpriz’d, he fouly did to die.

Thereto the Blatant beast by them set onxliAt him began aloud to barke and bay,With bitter rage and fell contention,That all the woods and rockes nigh to that way,Began to quake and tremble with dismay;And all the aire rebellowed againe.So dreadfully his hundred tongues did bray,And euermore those hags them selues did paine,To sharpen him, and their owne cursed tongs did straine.

Thereto the Blatant beast by them set onxli

At him began aloud to barke and bay,

With bitter rage and fell contention,

That all the woods and rockes nigh to that way,

Began to quake and tremble with dismay;

And all the aire rebellowed againe.

So dreadfully his hundred tongues did bray,

And euermore those hags them selues did paine,

To sharpen him, and their owne cursed tongs did straine.

And still among most bitter wordes they spake,xliiMost shamefull, most vnrighteous, most vntrew,That they the mildest man aliue would makeForget his patience, and yeeld vengeaunce dewTo her, that so false sclaunders[397]at him threw.And more to make them pierce and wound more deepe,She with the sting, which in her vile tongue grew,Did sharpen them, and in fresh poyson steepe:Yet he past on, and seem’d of them to take no keepe.

And still among most bitter wordes they spake,xlii

Most shamefull, most vnrighteous, most vntrew,

That they the mildest man aliue would make

Forget his patience, and yeeld vengeaunce dew

To her, that so false sclaunders[397]at him threw.

And more to make them pierce and wound more deepe,

She with the sting, which in her vile tongue grew,

Did sharpen them, and in fresh poyson steepe:

Yet he past on, and seem’d of them to take no keepe.

ButTalushearing her so lewdly raile,xliiiAnd speake so ill of him, that well deserued,Would her haue chastiz’d with his yron flaile,If her SirArtegallhad not preserued,And him forbidden, who his heast obserued.So much the more at him still did she scold,And stones did cast, yet he for nought would swerueFrom his right course, but still the way did holdTo Faery Court, where what him fell shall else be told.

ButTalushearing her so lewdly raile,xliii

And speake so ill of him, that well deserued,

Would her haue chastiz’d with his yron flaile,

If her SirArtegallhad not preserued,

And him forbidden, who his heast obserued.

So much the more at him still did she scold,

And stones did cast, yet he for nought would swerue

From his right course, but still the way did hold

To Faery Court, where what him fell shall else be told.

FOOTNOTES:[387]i 9 enduren] endure1596[388]v 9 th’Eagle1609[389]xi 6Artegals1596[390]xiv 1 presumptuous1609 passim[391]8 steele1609[392]xvii 5 such] sure1609[393]xxiii 2 strooke1609[394]xxx 6 hungerly1609[395]xxxiv 3 slanderously1609[396]xl 5 And that bright sword the sword, of Iustice lent1596[397]xlii 5 slaunders1609

[387]i 9 enduren] endure1596

[388]v 9 th’Eagle1609

[389]xi 6Artegals1596

[390]xiv 1 presumptuous1609 passim

[391]8 steele1609

[392]xvii 5 such] sure1609

[393]xxiii 2 strooke1609

[394]xxx 6 hungerly1609

[395]xxxiv 3 slanderously1609

[396]xl 5 And that bright sword the sword, of Iustice lent1596

[397]xlii 5 slaunders1609

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