[sin;

The noble Elfe and carefull Palmer drew
So nigh them, minding nought but lustfull
{threw
That suddein forth they on them rushit, and
A subtile net, which only for that same
The skilfull Palmer formally did frame:
So held them under fast; the whiles the rest
Fled all away for feare of fowler shame.
The faire Enchauntresse, so unwares opprest,
Tryde all her arts and all her sleights thence
out to wrest.

LXXXII

Upon a bed of Roses she was layd,
As faint through heat, or dight to pleasant|
And was arayd, or rather disarayd,
And eke her lover strove, but all in vaine;
All in a vele of silke and silver thin,
For that same net so cunningly was wound,
That hid no whit her alablaster skin, [bee: That neither guile nor force might it distraine.
But rather shewd more white, if more might They tooke them both, and both them strongly
More subtile web Arachne cannot spin;
[found:
Nor the fine nets, which oft we woven see
In captive bandes, which there they readie
Of scorched deaw, do not in th' ayre more But her in chaines of adamant he tyde;
lightly flee.

LXXVIII

Her snowy brest was bare to ready spoyle
Of hungry eies, which n'ote therewith be fild;
And yet, through languour of her late sweet
toyle,
[tild,
Few drops, more cleare then Nectar, forth dis-
That like pure Orient perles adowne it trild;
And her faire eyes, sweet smyling in delight,
Moystened their fierie beames, with which she

thrild

bound

For nothing else might keepe her safe and

sound:

But Verdant (so he hight) he soone untyde, And counsell sage in steed thereof to him applyde.

LXXXIII

But all those pleasaunt bowres, and Pallace
brave,

Guyon broke downe with rigour pittilesse;
Neought their goodly workmanship might save
Them from the tempest of his wrathfulnesse,

But that their blisse he turn'd to balefulnesse. And mourneful meed of joyes delicious!
Their groves he feld; their gardins did deface; But, Palmer, if it mote thee so aggrate,
Their arbers spoyle; their Cabinets suppresse; Let them returned be unto their former state.'
Their banket houses burne; their buildings race;
And, of the fayrest late, now made the fowlest
place.

LXXXVI

Streight way he with his vertuous staffe them

THE THIRDE BOOKE

OF

THE FAERIE QUEENE

CONTAYNING THE LEGEND OF BRITOMARTIS, OR OF CHASTITY.

III

Hereto perforce. But, O dredd Soverayne!
Thus far-forth pardon, sith that choicest witt
Cannot your glorious pourtraict figure playne,
That I in colourd showes may shadow itt,
And antique praises unto present persons fitt.

IV

But if in living colours, and right hew,
Thy selfe thou covet to see pictured,
Who can it doe more lively, or more trew,
Then that sweete verse, with Nectar sprinck-
In which a gracious servaunt pictured [eled,
His Cynthia, his heavens fayrest light?
That with his melting sweetnes ravished,
And with the wonder of her beames bright,
My sences lulled are in slomber of delight.

V

But let that same delitious Poet lend
[mend,
A little leave unto a rusticke Muse
To sing his mistresse prayse; and let him
If ought amis her liking may abuse:
Ne let his fayrest Cynthia refuse

In mirrours more then one her selfe to see;
But either Gloriana let her chuse,

How then shall I, Apprentice to the skill
That whilome in divinest wits did rayne,
Presume so high to stretch mine humble quill?
Yet now my luckelesse lott doth me constrayne In th' one her rule, in th' other her rare

Or in Belphoebe fashioned to bee; [chastitee.

CANTO I.

Guyon encountreth Britomart :
Fayre Florimell is chaced :
Duessaes traines and Malecas-
taes champions are defaced.

THE famous Briton Prince &nd Faery knight, After long wayes and perilous paines endur'd, Having their weary limbes to perfect plight Restord, and sory wounds right well recur'd,

Of the faire Alma greatly were procur'd
To make there lenger sojourne and abode;
But when thereto they might not be allur'd,
From seeking praise and deeds of armes abrode,
They courteous congé tooke, and forth together
yode.