42 Returning back, those goodly rooms, which erst 1 She saw so rich and royally arrayed,

Now vanished utterly and clean subversed 2
She found, and all their glory quite decayed,3
That sight of such a change her much dismayed.
Thenceforth, descending to that perlous porch,
Those dreadful flames she also found delayed 5
And quenched quite, like a consumed torch,
That erst all ent'rers wont so cruelly to scorch.

43 More easy issue now then entrance late

She found; for now that feignèd dreadful flame,
Which choked the porch of that enchanted gate
And passage barred to all that thither came,
Was vanished quite, as it were not the same,
And gave her leave at pleasure forth to pass.
Th' enchanter self, which all that fraud did frame
To have efforced the love of that fair lass,
Seeing his work now wasted, deep engrievèd was.

44 But when the victoress arrived there

Where late she left the pensife Scudamore
With her own trusty squire, both full of fear,
Neither of them she found where she them lore 8:
Thereat her noble heart was 'stonished sore;
But most fair Amoret, whose gentle sprite 9
Now gan to feed on hope, which she before

Conceived had, to see her own dear knight,

Being thereof beguiled, was filled with new affright.

45 But he, sad man, when he had long in dread Awaited there for Britomart's return,

Yet saw her not, nor sign of her good speed,

His expectation to despair did turn,

Misdeeming1 sure that her those flames did burn;
And therefore gan advise with her old squire,
Who her dear nursling's loss no less did mourn,
Thence to depart for further aid t' enquire:
Where let them wend at will, whilst here I do respire.

1 Misdeeming, mistakenly judging.

a woman.

IX.

During an adventure at a castle, Amoret learns that her deliverer is The maidens soon after meet Paridell and Blandamour, and their companions, Duessa and Atè. Later, Scudamour and Glaucè come upon the scene.

I OF lovers' sad calamities of old

Full many piteous stories do remain,
But none more piteous ever was ytold
Then that of Amoret's heart-binding chain,
And this of Florimell's unworthy pain :
The dear compassion of whose bitter fit1
My softened heart so sorely doth constrain,
That I with tears full oft do pity it,

And oftentimes do wish it never had been writ.

2 For, from the time that Scudamour her bought 2
In perilous fight, she never joyèd day;

A perilous fight! when he with force her brought
From twenty knights that did him all assay 3;
Yet fairly well he did them all dismay,1

And with great glory both the shield of love
And eke the lady self he brought away 5;
Whom having wedded, as did him behoove,

A new unknowen mischief did from him remove.

3 For that same vile enchanter Busyran,

The very self same day that she was wedded,
Amidst the bridal feast, whilst every man

Surcharged with wine were heedless and ill-headed,

Brought in that Mask of Love which late was
showen;

And there the lady ill of friends bestedded,1
By way of sport, as oft in masks is knowen,
Conveyèd quite away to living wight unknowen.

4 Seven months he so her kept in bitter smart,

Until such time as noble Britomart

2

Released her, that else was like to sterve
Through cruel knife that her dear heart did kerve3;
And now she is with her upon the way

4

Marching in lovely wise, that could deserve.

No spot of blame, though spite did oft assay
To blot her 5 with dishonour of so fair a prey.

5 Yet should it be a pleasant tale, to tell
The diverse usage, and demeanour daint,6
That each to other made, as oft befell:
For Amoret right fearful was and faint,7

1 Bestedded, assisted.

2 Sterve, die.

8 Kerve, carve, cut.

4 Lovely, affectionate.

5 Her, i.e. Britomart.

6 Demeanour daint, delicate conduct.

7 For Amoret right fearful, etc. Amoret knew that she owed everything to Britomart whom she supposed, of course, to be a man. She feared that her deliverer might desire her love.

That every word did tremble as she spake,
And every look was coy and wondrous quaint,1
And every limb that touchèd her 2 did quake;

Yet could she not but courteous countenance to her make.

6 For well she3 wist, as true it was indeed,
That her life's lord and patron of her health
Right well deservèd, as his dueful meed,
Her love, her service, and her utmost wealth:
All is his justly that all freely deal'th.5

7 Thereto her fear was made so much the greater,
Through fine abusion of that Briton maid7;
Who, for to hide her feignèd sex the better
And mask her wounded mind,8 both did and said
Full many things so doubtful to be weighed,
That well she wist not what by them to guess:

8 It so befell one evening that they came
Unto a castle, lodgèd there to be,

Where many a knight, and many a lovely dame,
Was then assembled deeds of arms to see:

1 Quaint, nice, reserved.

2 Her, i.e. Britomart.

3 She, i.e. Amoret.

4 Patron of her health, defender of her safety.

5 Deal'th, dealeth; distributes,

gives.

6 Abusion, deception.

7 Briton maid, i.e. Britomart. 8 Her wounded mind, i.e. wounded from love of Artegall.