And eke1 the Redcross knight gave her good aid, That in short space their foes they have quite 50 Tho2 whenas all were put to shameful flight, And her bright arms about her body dight3: They took their steeds, and forth upon their journey II. Britomart and the Redcross knight journey on together. Going back in his narrative, the poet tells how the maiden sees in a magic lookingglass the image of Arthegall, and how she falls in love with the unknown knight. I HERE have I cause in men just blame to find, To whom no share in arms and chivalry 3 Of their brave gests and prowess martial: Room in their writtes ; yet the same writing small 2 But by record of ántique times I find That women wont in wars to bear most sway, 1 In their proper praise, i.e. in praising themselves. 2 Indifferent, impartial. 3 Gests, deeds. 4 Writtes, writings. 5 Girlond, garland. 6 Their rule's decay, i.e. the decline of their own authority. 7 Strait, strict, rigorous. 8 Sith, since. They have excelled in arts and policy, That now we foolish men that praise gin2 eke t' envý.3 3 Of warlike puissance in ages spent,1 Be thou,5 fair Britomart, whose praise I write; 6 O sovereign Queen, whose praise I would endite,7 Endite I would as duty doth excite; But ah! my rhymes too rude and rugged are, 8 When in so high an object they do light, And, striving fit to make, I fear do mar: Thyself thy praises tell, and make them knowen far. 4 She, travelling with Guyon, by the way 1 That, so that. 2 Gin, begin. 3 Envy, begrudge. 4 Spent, passed. 5 Be thou, i.e. be thou precedent or example. 6 O sovereign Queen; Elizabeth, of course, is here referred to. 7 Endite, indite. 8 In, i.e. on. 14 9 Guyon; this is a mistake; it should be the Redcross knight. 10 Purpose, discourse. 11 Gan to find, i.e. did find. 12 Faery's, i.e. Faery knight's; Faery because he served the Faery Queen. 13 Uncouth, strange. 14 Inquest, quest or adventure. 15 Kind, sex. 5 Thereat she sighing softly had no pow'r But with heart-thrilling throbs and bitter stour,1 And every dainty limb with horror shake; And ever and anon the rosy red Flashed through her face, as it had been a flake2 6 "Fair sir, I let you weet, that from the hour 7 "All my delight on deeds of arms is set, 1 Stour, struggles. 2 Flake, flash. 3 Fulmined, the same as fulminated; to fulminate is to thunder, or to hurl lightning. 4 Let you weet, inform you. 5 In warlike stour, amid the din of war, amid warlike scenes. 6 Affrap, strike. 7 Sithence, since. 8 Nice, delicate. 9 Me lever were, I would rather. Withouten compass or withouten card,1 Far fro my native soil, that is by name The Greater Britain,2 here to seek for praise and fame. 8 "Fame blazèd hath, that here in Faery-lond Of which great worth and worship 5 may be won : 8 Late foul dishonour and reproachful spite, 9 The word gone out she back again would call, But that he, it uptaking ere the fall,11 A gentle 14 knight with so unknightly blame : 1 Card, chart. 2 Greater Britain. Church says that this means Wales, and is so called to distinguish it from Lesser Brittany in France. Fairy Land is England proper. Hillard. 3 Won, dwell. 4 Fond, found. 5 Worth and worship, distinction and honor. 6 Mote I weet of you, may I learn of you. 7 Wreak, revenge. 8 Arthegall; it has seemed best to follow the original and keep the two forms, Arthegall and Artegall. 9 Hight, is called. 10 Missaid, said wrongly. 11 Ere the fall, i.e. before the words had fallen from her mouth. 12 Certes, certainly. 13 Misavised, inconsiderate. |