Her joyous presence, and sweet company,
In full content he there did long enjoy;
Ne wicked envy, ne vile gealosy,
His deare delights were hable to annoy :
Yet, swimming in that sea of blisfull joy,
He nought forgott how he whilome had sworne,
In case he could that monstrous beast de-
stroy,
During the which there was an heavenly noise Unto his Faery Queene backe to retourne ;
Heard sownd through all the Pallace pleasantly, The which he shortly did, and Una left to
Like as it had bene many an Angels voice
Singing before th' eternall majesty,
In their trinall triplicities on hye:
Yett wist no creature whence that hevenly
Proceeded, yet each one felt secretly
Himselfe thereby refte of his sences meet,
And ravished with rare impression in his sprite.
Great joy was made that day of young and old,
And solemne feast proclaymd throughout the land,
Now, strike your sailes, yee jolly Mariners,
For we be come unto a quiet rode,
Where we must land some of our passengers,
And light this weary vessell of her lode:
Here she a while may make her safe abode,
Till she repaired have her tackles spent,
And wants supplide; And then againe abroad
On the long voiage whereto she is bent:
Well may she speede, and fairely finish her
CONTAYNING THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON, OR OF TEMPERAUNCE.
Therewith amoved from his sober mood, And lives he yet,' (said he) that wrought this act?
And doen the heavens afford him vitall food?' 'He lives,' (quoth he) and boasteth of the fact, Ne yet hath any knight his courage crackt.' Where may that treachour then,' (sayd he) 'be found,
Or by what meanes may I his footing tract?' 'That shall I shew,' (sayd he) as sure as hound [ing wound.' The stricken Deure doth chalenge by the bleed
He stayd not lenger talke, but with fierce yre And zealous has te away is quickly gone To seeke that knight, where him that crafty Squyre
Suppose to be. They do arrive anone
The knight, approching nigh, thus to her
Fayre Lady, through fowle sorrow ill bedight, Great pitty is to see you thus dismayd, And marre the blossom of your beauty bright: For-thy appease your griefe and heavy plight, And tell the cause of your conceived payne; For, if he live that hath you doen despight, He shall you doe dew recompence agayne, Or els his wrong with greater puissance maintaine.'
She wilfully her sorrow did augment,
Which when she heard, as in despight full wise
And offred hope of comfort did despise:
Her golden lockes most cruelly she rent,
And scratcht her face with ghastly dreriment;
Ne would she speake, ne see, ne yet be seene,
But hid her visage, and her head downe bent,
Either for grievous shame, or for great teene,
As if her hart with sorrow had transfixed
beene:
Till her that Squyre bespake: 'Madame, my liefe,
For Gods deare love be not so wilfull bent,
But doe vouchsafe now to receive reliefe,
The which good fortune doth to you present.
For what bootes it to weepe and to wayment
When ill is chaunst, but doth the ill increase,
And the weake minde with double woe tor-
ment?'
[ appease
Her voluntarie paine, and feele some secret ease.
When she her Squyre heard speake, she gan
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