Complete Works of Edmund Spenser

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by Edmund Spenser


  His borrowed waters forst to redisbourse,

  He sends the sea his owne with double gaine,

  And tribute eke withall, as to his soveraine.

  XXVIII

  Thus did the battell varie to and fro,

  With diverse fortune doubtfull to be deemed: 245

  Now this the better had, now had his fo;

  Then he halfe vanquisht, then the other seemed;

  Yet victors both them selves alwayes esteemed.

  And all the while the disentrayled blood

  Adowne their sides like litle rivers stremed, 250

  That with the wasting of his vitall flood

  Sir Triamond at last full faint and feeble stood.

  XXIX

  But Cambell still more strong and greater grew,

  Ne felt his blood to wast, ne powres emperisht,

  Through that rings vertue, that with vigour new, 255

  Still when as he enfeebled was, him cherisht,

  And all his wounds and all his bruses guarisht:

  Like as a withered tree, through husbands toyle,

  Is often seene full freshly to have florisht,

  And fruitfull seene full freshly to have florisht, 260

  As fresh as when it first was planted in the soyle.

  XXX

  Through which advantage, in his strength he rose,

  And smote the other with so wondrous might,

  That through the seame which did his hauberk close

  Into his throate and life it pierced quight, 265

  That downe he fell as dead in all mens sight:

  Yet dead he was not, yet he sure did die,

  As all men do that lose the living spright:

  So did one soule out of his bodie flie

  Unto her native home from mortall miserie. 270

  XXXI

  But nathelesse whilst all the lookers on

  Him dead behight, as he to all appeard,

  All unawares he started up anon,

  As one that had out of a dreame bene reard,

  And fresh assayld his foe; who halfe affeard 275

  Of th’ uncouth sight, as he some ghost had seene,

  Stood still amaz’d, holding his idle sweard;

  Till, having often by him stricken beene,

  He forced was to strike, and save him selfe from teene.

  XXXII

  Yet from thenceforth more warily he fought, 280

  As one in feare the Stygian gods t’ offend,

  Ne followd on so fast, but rather sought

  Him selfe to save, and daunger to defend,

  Then life and labour both in vaine to spend.

  Which Triamond perceiving, weened sure 285

  He gan to faint toward the battels end,

  And that he should not long on foote endure,

  A signe which did to him the victorie assure.

  XXXIII

  Whereof full blith, eftsoones his mightie hand

  He heav’d on high, in mind with that same blow 290

  To make an end of all that did withstand:

  Which Cambell seeing come, was nothing slow

  Him selfe to save from that so deadly throw;

  And at that instant reaching forth his sweard,

  Close underneath his shield, that scarce did show, 295

  Stroke him, as he his hand to strike upreard,

  In th’ arm-pit full, that through both sides the wound appeard.

  XXXIV

  Yet still that direfull stroke kept on his way,

  And falling heavie on Cambelloes crest,

  Strooke him so hugely that in swowne he lay, 300

  And in his head an hideous wound imprest:

  And sure, had it not happily found rest

  Upon the brim of his brode plated shield,

  It would have cleft his braine downe to his brest.

  So both at once fell dead upon the field, 305

  And each to other seemd the victorie to yield.

  XXXV

  Which when as all the lookers on beheld,

  They weened sure the warre was at an end,

  And judges rose, and marshals of the field

  Broke up the listes, their armes away to rend; 310

  And Canacee gan wayle her dearest frend.

  All suddenly they both upstarted light,

  The one out of the swownd which him did blend,

  The other breathing now another spright,

  And fiercely each assayling, gan afresh to fight. 315

  XXXVI

  Long while they then continued in that wize,

  As if but then the battell had begonne:

  Strokes, wounds, wards, weapons, all they did despise,

  Ne either car’d to ward, or perill shonne,

  Desirous both to have the battell donne; 320

  Ne either cared life to save or spill,

  Ne which of them did winne, ne which were wonne.

  So wearie both of fighting had their fill,

  That life it selfe seemd loathsome, and long safetie ill.

  XXXVII

  Whilst thus the case in doubtfull ballance hong, 325

  Unsure to whether side it would incline,

  And all mens eyes and hearts, which there among

  Stood gazing, filled were with rufull tine,

  And secret feare to see their fatall fine,

  All suddenly they heard a troublous noyes, 330

  That seemd some perilous tumult to desine,

  Confusd with womens cries and shouts of boyes,

  Such as the troubled theaters oftimes annoyes.

  XXXVIII

  Thereat the champions both stood still a space,

  To weeten what that sudden clamour ment; 335

  Lo! where they spyde with speedie whirling pace

  One in a charet of straunge furniment

  Towards them driving like a storme out sent.

  The charet decked was in wondrous wize

  With gold and many a gorgeous ornament, 340

  After the Persian Monarks antique guize,

  Such as the maker selfe could best by art devize.

  XXXIX

  And drawne it was (that wonder is to tell)

  Of two grim lyons, taken from the wood,

  In which their powre all others did excell; 345

  Now made forget their former cruell mood,

  T’ obey their riders hest, as seemed good.

  And therein sate a ladie passing faire

  And bright, that seemed borne of angels brood,

  And with her beautie bountie did compare, 350

  Whether of them in her should have the greater share.

  XL

  Thereto she learned was in magicke leare,

  And all the artes that subtill wits discover,

  Having therein bene trained many a yeare,

  And well instructed by the Fay her mother, 355

  That in the same she farre exceld all other.

  Who, understanding by her mightie art

  Of th’ evill plight in which her dearest brother

  Now stood, came forth in hast to take his part,

  And pacifie the strife which causd so deadly smart. 360

  XLI

  And as she passed through th’ unruly preace

  Of people thronging thicke her to behold,

  Her angrie teame, breaking their bonds of peace,

  Great heapes of them, like sheepe in narrow fold,

  For hast did over-runne, in dust enrould; 365

  That, thorough rude confusion of the rout,

  Some fearing shriekt, some being harmed hould,

  Some laught for sport, some did for wonder shout,

  And some, that would seeme wise, their wonder turnd to dout.

  XLII

  In her right hand a rod of peace shee bore, 370

  About the which two serpents weren wound,

  Entrayled mutually in lovely lore,

  And by the tailes together firmely bound,
<
br />   And both were with one olive garland crownd,

  Like to the rod which Maias sonne doth wield, 375

  Wherewith the hellish fiends he doth confound.

  And in her other hand a cup she hild,

  The which was with Nepenthe to the brim upfild.

  XLIII

  Nepenthe is a drinck of soverayne grace,

  Devized by the gods, for to asswage 380

  Harts grief, and bitter gall away to chace,

  Which stirs up anguish and contentious rage:

  In stead thereof sweet peace and quietage

  It doth establish in the troubled mynd.

  Few men, but such as sober are and sage, 385

  Are by the gods to drinck thereof assynd;

  But such as drinck, eternall happinesse do fynd.

  XLIV

  Such famous men, such worthies of the earth,

  As Jove will have advaunced to the skie,

  And there made gods, though borne of mortall berth, 390

  For their high merits and great dignitie,

  Are wont, before they may to heaven flie,

  To drincke hereof, whereby all cares forepast

  Are washt away quite from their memorie.

  So did those olde heroes hereof taste, 395

  Before that they in blisse amongst the gods were plaste.

  XLV

  Much more of price and of more gratious powre

  Is this, then that same water of Ardenne,

  The which Rinaldo drunck in happie howre,

  Described by that famous Tuscane penne: 400

  For that had might to change the hearts of men

  Fro love to hate, a change of evill choise:

  But this doth hatred make in love to brenne,

  And heavy heart with comfort doth rejoyce.

  Who would not to this vertue rather yeeld his voice? 405

  XLVI

  At last arriving by the listes side,

  Shee with her rod did softly smite the raile,

  Which straight flew ope, and gave her way to ride.

  Eftsoones out of her coch she gan availe,

  And pacing fairely forth, did bid all haile, 410

  First to her brother, whom she loved deare,

  That so to see him made her heart to quaile:

  And next to Cambell, whose sad ruefull cheare

  Made her to change her hew, and hidden love t’ appeare.

  XLVII

  They lightly her requit (for small delight 415

  They had as then her long to entertaine,)

  And eft them turned both againe to fight:

  Which when she saw, downe on the bloudy plaine

  Her selfe she threw, and teares gan shed amaine;

  Amongst her teares immixing prayers meeke, 420

  And with her prayers reasons, to restraine

  From blouddy strife; and blessed peace to seeke,

  By all that unto them was deare, did them beseeke.

  XLVIII

  But when as all might nought with them prevaile,

  Shee smote them lightly with her powrefull wand. 425

  Then suddenly as if their hearts did faile,

  Their wrathfull blades downe fell out of their hand,

  And they like men astonisht still did stand.

  Thus whilest their minds were doubtfully distraught,

  And mighty spirites bound with mightier band, 430

  Her golden cup to them for drinke she raught,

  Whereof, full glad for thirst, ech drunk an harty draught.

  XLIX

  Of which so soone as they once tasted had,

  Wonder it is that sudden change to see:

  Instead of strokes, each other kissed glad, 435

  And lovely haulst, from feare of treason free,

  And plighted hands for ever friends to be.

  When all men saw this sudden change of things,

  So mortall foes so friendly to agree,

  For passing joy, which so great marvaile brings, 440

  They all gan shout aloud, that all the heaven rings.

  L

  All which when gentle Canacee beheld,

  In hast she from her lofty chaire descended,

  Too weet what sudden tidings was befeld:

  Where when she saw that cruell war so ended, 445

  And deadly foes so faithfully affrended,

  In lovely wise she gan that lady greet,

  Which had so great dismay so well amended,

  And entertaining her with curt’sies meet,

  Profest to her true friendship and affection sweet. 450

  LI

  Thus when they all accorded goodly were,

  The trumpets sounded, and they all arose,

  Thence to depart with glee and gladsome chere.

  Those warlike champions both together chose

  Homeward to march, themselves there to repose, 455

  And wise Cambina, taking by her side

  Faire Canacee, as fresh as morning rose,

  Unto her coch remounting, home did ride,

  Admir’d of all the people and much glorifide.

  LII

  Where making joyous feast theire daies they spent 460

  In perfect love, devoide of hatefull strife,

  Allide with bands of mutuall couplement;

  For Triamond had Canacee to wife,

  With whom he ledd a long and happie life;

  And Cambel tooke Cambina to his fere, 465

  The which as life were each to other liefe.

  So all alike did love, and loved were,

  That since their days such lovers were not found elswhere.

  Faerie Queene Detailed Table of Contents

  Glossary for ‘The Faerie Queene’

  Canto IV

  Satyrane makes a turneyment

  For love of Florimell:

  Britomart winnes the prize from all,

  And Artegall doth quell.

  I

  IT often fals, (as here it earst befell)

  That mortall foes doe turne to faithfull frends,

  And friends profest are chaungd to foemen fell:

  The cause of both, of both their minds depends,

  And th’ end of both, likewise of both their ends: 5

  For enmitie, that of no ill proceeds,

  But of occasion, with th’ occasion ends;

  And friendship, which a faint affection breeds

  Without regard of good, dyes like ill grounded seeds.

  II

  That well (me seemes) appeares by that of late 10

  Twixt Cambell and Sir Triamond befell,

  As els by this, that now a new debate

  Stird up twixt Blandamour and Paridell,

  The which by course befals me here to tell:

  Who having those two other knights espide, 15

  Marching afore, as ye remember well,

  Sent forth their squire to have them both descride,

  And eke those masked ladies riding them beside.

  III

  Who backe returning, told as he had seene,

  That they were doughtie knights of dreaded name, 20

  And those two ladies their two loves unseene;

  And therefore wisht them without blot or blame

  To let them passe at will, for dread of shame.

  But Blandamour, full of vainglorious spright,

  And rather stird by his discordfull dame, 25

  Upon them gladly would have prov’d his might,

  But that he yet was sore of his late lucklesse fight.

  IV

  Yet, nigh approching, he them fowle bespake,

  Disgracing them, him selfe thereby to grace,

  As was his wont, so weening way to make 30

  To ladies love, where so he came in place,

  And with lewd termes their lovers to deface.

  Whose sharpe provokement them incenst so sore,

  That both were bent t’ avenge his usage base,

>   And gan their shields addresse them selves afore: 35

  For evill deedes may better then bad words be bore.

  V

  But faire Cambina with perswasions myld

  Did mitigate the fiercenesse of their mode,

  That for the present they were reconcyld,

  And gan to treate of deeds of armes abrode, 40

  And strange adventures, all the way they rode:

  Amongst the which they told, as then befell,

  Of that great turney which was blazed brode,

  For that rich girdle of faire Florimell,

  The prize of her which did in beautie most excell. 45

  VI

  To which folke-mote they all with one consent,

  Sith each of them his ladie had him by,

  Whose beautie each of them thought excellent,

  Agreed to travell, and their fortunes try.

  So as they passed forth, they did espy 50

  One in bright armes, with ready speare in rest,

  That toward them his course seem’d to apply;

  Gainst whom Sir Paridell himselfe addrest,

  Him weening, ere he nigh approcht, to have represt.

  VII

  Which th’ other seeing, gan his course relent, 55

  And vaunted speare eftsoones to disadvaunce,

  As if he naught but peace and pleasure ment,

  Now falne into their fellowship by chance;

  Whereat they shewed curteous countenaunce.

  So as he rode with them accompanide, 60

  His roving eie did on the lady glaunce

  Which Blandamour had riding by his side:

  Whom sure he weend that he some wher tofore had eide.

  VIII

  It was to weete that snowy Florimell,

  Which Ferrau late from Braggadochio wonne; 65

  Whom he now seeing, her remembred well,

  How, having reft her from the witches sonne,

  He soone her lost: wherefore he now begunne

  To challenge her anew, as his owne prize,

  Whom formerly he had in battell wonne, 70

  And proffer made by force her to reprize:

  Which scornefull offer Blandamour gan soone despize;

  IX

  And said: ‘Sir knight, sith ye this lady clame,

  Whom he that hath were loth to lose so light,

  (For so to lose a lady were great shame,) 75

  Yee shall her winne, as I have done, in fight:

  And lo! shee shall be placed here in sight,

  Together with this hag beside her set,

  That who so winnes her may her have by right:

  But he shall have the hag that is ybet, 80

  And with her alwaies ride, till he another get.’

  X

  That offer pleased all the company,

  So Florimell with Ate forth was brought,

  At which they all gan laugh full merrily:

  But Braggadochio said, he never thought 85

 

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