24 Such is the cruelty of womenkind, When they have shaken off the shamefast 1 band, But virtuous women wisely understand, That they were born to base humility,3 25 Thus there long while continued Artegall, T'obey a woman's tyrrannous direction, To add to Artegall's discomfort, his mistress conceived a liking for her noble captive and used every means at her command to gain his affection. Her maid Clarinda also persecuted him with her attentions. However, steadfast in his love for Britomart, the knight withstood both threats and entreaties, and endured in stubborn patience his hard lot. 1 Shamefast, modest. 2 Hests, commands. 3 Base humility, humble subordination. 4 Unless the heavens them, etc. Spenser wisely makes an exception in favor of female sovereigns. XVI. Informed by Talus, Artegall's servant, of his master's sad plight, Britomart sets out to deliver her lover. The treachery of Dolon and Britomart's combat with his sons. I SOME men, I wote, will deem in Artegall But he at first or last was trapped in women's snare. 2 Yet in the straitness 2 of that captive state should. 1 Spill, spoil. thence 6 such blot his honour blemish 2 Straitness, narrowness, re straint. 8 Gentle, high-born, noble. Subtile, sly, artful. 5 Character, image. 6 Th' adamantine mould, the adamantine (or extremely hard) substance. 7 Bereave it, take it away from. 3 Yet his own love, the noble Britomart, A thousand fears, that love-sick fancies fain 3 to find. 4 Sometime she fearèd lest some hard mishap To think of him so ill; yet could she not forbear. 5 One while she blamed herself; another while For hours, but days; for weeks that passèd were, 1 Cast, plan. 2 Misdoubtful, apprehensive. 8 Fain, pretend. 4 Traine, snare. 6 But, when as yet she saw him not return, She thought to send some one to seek him out; And then both knights envíed,1 and ladies eke did spite. 7 One day whenas she long had sought for ease And sent her wingèd thoughts more swift than wind To bear unto her love the message of her mind. 8 There as she lookèd long, at last she spied Whereat her heart was filled with hope and dread; 1 Envied, felt a grudge against, hated. 2 Mote aread, could perceive. 8 Artegall his groom, i.e. Artegall's servant. Ne would she stay till he in place could come, But ran to meet him forth to know his tidings' sum. 9 Even in the door him meeting, she begun : And sorrow's feeling, yet, with conscience1 Her rather read his meaning then himself it spake.2 10 Till she again thus said: "Talus, be bold, And tell whatever it be, good or bad, That from thy tongue thy heart's intent doth hold." In wretched bondage, wofully bestad." 4 Ay me," quoth she, "what wicked destiny! II "Not by that tyrant, his intended foe5; But by a tyranness," he then replied, ୧୯ That him captivèd hath in hapless woe." Cease, thou bad news-man; badly dost thou hide Thy master's shame, 1 Conscience, consciousness. 2 Then himself it spake, than himself disclose it. 8 Rad, uttered. 4 Bestad, bestead, beset. 5 His intended foe, i.e. Grantorto from whose power he was to release Irena. |