CANTO VI. The Hermite heales both Squire and Dame Of their sore maladies; He Turpine doth defeate and shame For his late villanies. I. No wound, which warlike hand of enemy It ever can recured be againe ; Ne all the skill, which that immortall spright Of Podalyrius did in it retaine, Can remedy such hurts; such hurts are hellish paine. II. Such were the wounds the which that Blatant Beast 1 Curelesse, hard to be cured. Arg. 3.-He, &c.] Meaning Prince Arthur. I. 8. Of Podalyrius.] He was the son of Esculapius, and a celebrated physician. II. 6.- Carefull Hermite, &c.] In this account of Timias and With many kindes of medicines meete, to tame Their ranckling wounds, and every day them duely drest. For he right well in leaches craft was seene1; And all the passions heale, which wound the weaker spright. IV. For whylome 4 he had bene a doughty Knight, As any one that lived in his daies, And proved oft in many perillous fight, In which he grace and glory wonne alwaies, In which he liv'd alone, like carelesse bird in cage. V. One day, as he was searching of their wounds, 1 Seene, skilled. 2 Went, direction. 4 Whylome, formerly. 5 Baies, bays, laurels. Serena's going to the hermit's cell to be cured of the wounds they had received from the Blatant Beast, or Detraction, Upton discovers an allusion to the temporary retirement from court of Sir W. Raleigh and Lady Elizabeth Throgmorton, to escape from the shame which they had brought upon themselves by their misconduct. He found that they had festred privily; And, ranckling inward with unruly stounds,1 That quite they seem'd past helpe of surgery; To rule the stubborne rage of passion blinde: VI. So, taking them apart into his cell, He to that point fit speaches gan to frame, And thus he to them sayd; "Faire Daughter Dame, In vaine of me ye hope for remedie, And I likewise in vaine doe salves to you applie: VII. "For in yourselfe your onely helpe doth lie Your eies, your eares, your tongue, your talk restraine From that they most affect, and in due termes containe.1 VIII. "For from those outward sences, ill affected, 1 Stounds, pains. 3 Affection, passion. 2 Reede, advice. 4 Containe, govern, restrain. The seede of all this evill first doth spring, IX. "For that Beastes teeth, which wounded you tofore,2 Are so exceeding venomous and keene, Made all of rusty yron ranckling sore, That, where they bite, it booteth not to weene It ever to amend: ne marvaile ought; For that same Beast was bred of hellish strene,4 And long in darksome Stygian den upbrought, Begot of foule Echidna, as in bookes is taught. X. "Echidna is a Monster, direfull dred, Whom gods doe hate, and heavens abhor to see; XI. "To her the gods, for her so dreadfull face, XVII. But by what meanes that shame to her befell, XVIII. The Prince, according to the former token, Which faire Serene to him delivered had, Pursu'd him streight; in mynd to bene ywroken Of all the vile demeane 5 and usage bad, With which he had those two so ill bestad 6 : Ne wight with him on that adventure went, But that Wylde Man; whom though he oft forbad, Yet for no bidding, nor for being shent," Would he restrained be from his attendëment. XIX. Arriving there, as did by chaunce befall, He found the gate wyde ope, and in he rode, 1 Lite, happen. 3 Lewdly, vilely. 4 Ywroken, avenged. 5 Demeane, demeanor, conduct. 6 Bestad, treated. Shent, reproved. XVII. 6.- That proud Knight.] Sir Turpine. XIX. 1. ye did lately heare.] In the third canto. Arriving there.] At Sir Turpine's castle. |