"Sonne," faid he then, " lett be thy bitter fcorne, "And leave the rudeneffe of that antique age "To them that liv'd therein in state forlorne : "Thou that docft live in later times must wage Thy workes for wealth, and life for gold ena gage: "If then thee lift my offred grace to ufe, "Take what thou please of all this surplusage; "If thee lift not, leave have thou to refufe: "But thing refufed doe not afterward accuse.” XIX. "Me lift not," said the Elfin knight," receave "Thing offred, till I know it well be gott; *Ne wote I but thou didst these goods bereave "From rightful owner by unrighteous lott, "Or that blood-guiltineffe, or guile them blott." Perdy," quoth he, " yet never eie did vew, "Ne tong did tell, ne hand these handled not; But fafe I have them kept in fecret mew, "From Heven's fight, and powre of al which them “ pourfew.” At length they came into a larger space, Before the dore fat felfe-confuming Care, XXVI. So foon as Mammon there arriv'd, the dore Him followed eke Sir Guyon evermore, And ever as he went dew watch upon him kept. XXVII Well hoped hee, ere long that hardy guest, And both did gnafh their teeth, and both did Threatning with greedy gripe to do him dye, threaten life. And rend in peeces with his ravenous pawes, If ever he tranfgreft the fatall Stygian lawes. That houses forme within was rude and strong, And with rich metall loaded every rifte, XXIX. XXXIV. Thereat the feend his gnashing teeth did grate, And griev'd fo long to lacke his greedie pray; For well he weened that fo glorious bayte Would tempt his gueft to take thereof assay: Had he fo doen, he had him snatcht away, More light then culver in the faulcon's fift; Both roofe and floore, and walls, were all of (Eternal God thee fave from fuch decay ) But whenas Mammon faw his purpose mist, Him to entrap unwares another way he wift. |