The Faerie Queene

by The Faerie Queen(Lit)

  And breathed forth with blast of bitter wind;

  Which passing through the eares, would pierce the hart,

  And wound the soule it selfe with griefe vnkind:

  For like the stings of Aspes, that kill with smart,

  Her spightfull words did pricke, & wound the inner part.

  Such was that Hag, vnmeet to host such guests,

  Whom greatest Princes court would welcome fayne;

  But neede, that answers not to all requests,

  Bad them not looke for better entertayne;

  And eke that age despysed nicenesse vaine,

  Enur'd to hardnesse and to homely fare,

  Which them to warlike discipline did trayne,

  And manly limbs endur'd with little care

  Against all hard mishaps and fortunelesse misfare.

  Then all that euening welcommed with cold,

  And chearelesse hunger, they together spent;

  Yet found no fault, but that the Hag did scold

  And rayle at them with grudgefull discontent,

  For lodging there without her owne consent:

  Yet they endured all with patience milde,

  And vnto rest themselues all onely lent,

  Regardlesse of that queane so base and vilde,

  To be vniustly blamd, and bitterly reuilde.

  Here well I weene, when as these rimes be red

  With misregard, that some rash witted wight,

  Whose looser thought will lightly be misled,

  These gentle Ladies will misdeeme too light,

  For thus conuersing with this noble Knight;

  Sith now of dayes such temperance is rare

  And hard to finde, that heat of youthfull spright

  For ought will from his greedie pleasure spare:

  More hard for hungry steed t'abstaine from pleasant lare.

  But antique age yet in the infancie

  Of time, did liue then like an innocent,

  In simple truth and blamelesse chastitie,

  Ne then of guile had made experiment,

  But voide of vile and treacherous intent,

  Held vertue for it selfe in soueraine awe:

  Then loyall loue had royall regiment,

  And each vnto his lust did make a lawe,

  From all forbidden things his liking to withdraw.

  The Lyon there did with the Lambe consort,

  And eke the Doue sate by the Faulcons side,

  Ne each of other feared fraud or tort,

  But did in safe securitie abide,

  Withouten perill of the stronger pride:

  But when the world woxe old, it woxe warre old

  (Whereof it hight) and hauing shortly tride

  The traines of wit, in wickednesse woxe bold,

  And dared of all sinnes the secrets to vnfold.

  Then beautie, which was made to represent

  The great Creatours owne resemblance bright,

  Vnto abuse of lawlesse lust was lent,

  And made the baite of bestiall delight:

  Then faire grew foule, and foule grew faire in sight,

  And that which wont to vanquish God and man,

  Was made the vassall of the victors might;

  Then did her glorious flowre wex dead and wan,

  Despisd and troden downe of all that ouerran.

  And now it is so vtterly decayd,

  That any bud thereof doth scarse remaine,

  But if few plants preseru'd through heauenly ayd,

  In Princes Court doe hap to sprout againe,

  Dew'd with her drops of bountie Soueraine,

  Which from that goodly glorious flowre proceed,

  Sprung of the auncient stocke of Princes straine,

  Now th'onely remnant of that royall breed,

  Whose noble kind at first was sure of heauenly seed.

  Tho soone as day discouered heauens face

  To sinfull men with darknes ouerdight,

  This gentle crew gan from their eye-lids chace

  The drowzie humour of the dampish night,

  And did themselues vnto their iourney dight.

  So forth they yode, and forward softly paced,

  That them to view had bene an vncouth sight;

  How all the way the Prince on footpace traced,

  The Ladies both on horse, together fast embraced.

  Soone as they thence departed were afore,

  That shamefull Hag, the slaunder of her sexe,

  Them follow'd fast, and them reuiled sore,

  Him calling theefe, them whores; that much did vexe

  His noble hart; thereto she did annexe

  False crimes and facts, such as they neuer ment,

  That those two Ladies much asham'd did wexe:

  The more did she pursue her lewd intent,

  And rayl'd and rag'd, till she had all her poyson spent.

  At last when they were passed out of sight,

  Yet she did not her spightfull speach forbeare,

  But after them did barke, and still backbite,

  Though there were none her hatefull words to heare:

  Like as a curre doth felly bite and teare

  The stone, which passed straunger at him threw;

  So she them seeing past the reach of eare,

  Against the stones and trees did rayle anew,

  Till she had duld the sting, which in her tongs end grew.

  They passing forth kept on their readie way,

  With easie steps so soft as foot could stryde.

  Both for great feeblesse, which did oft assay

  Faire Amoret, that scarcely she could ryde;

  And eke through heauie armes, which sore annoyd

  The Prince on foot, not wonted so to fare;

  Whose steadie hand was faine his steede to guyde,

  And all the way from trotting hard to spare,

  So was his toyle the more, the more that was his care.

  At length they spide, where towards them with speed

  A Squire came gallopping, as he would flie;

  Bearing a litle Dwarfe before his steed,

  That all the way full loud for aide did crie,

  That seem'd his shrikes would rend the brasen skie:

  Whom after did a mightie man pursew,

  Ryding vpon a Dromedare on hie,

  Of stature huge, and horrible of hew,

  That would haue maz'd a man his dreadfull face to vew.

  For from his fearefull eyes two fierie beames,

  More sharpe then points of needles did proceede,

  Shooting forth farre away two flaming streames,

  Full of sad powre, that poysonous bale did breede

  To all, that on him lookt without good heed,

  And secretly his enemies did slay:

  Like as the Basiliske of serpents seede,

  From powrefull eyes close venim doth conuay

  Into the lookers hart, and killeth farre away.

  He all the way did rage at that same Squire,

  And after him full many threatnings threw,

  With curses vaine in his auengefull ire:

  But none of them (so fast away he flew)

  Him ouertooke, before he came in vew.

  Where when he saw the Prince in armour bright,

  He cald to him aloud, his case to rew,

  And rescue him through succour of his might,

  From that his cruell foe, that him pursewd in sight.

  Eftsoones the Prince tooke downe those Ladies twaine

  From loftie steede, and mounting in their stead

  Came to that Squire, yet trembling euery vaine:

  Of whom he gan enquire his cause of dread;

  Who as he gan the same to him aread,

  Loe hard behind his backe his foe was prest,

  With dreadfull weapon aymed at his head;

  That vnto death had doen him vnredrest,

  Had not the noble Prince his readie stroke represt.

  Who thrusting
boldly twixt him and the blow,

  The burden of the deadly brunt did beare

  Vpon his shield, which lightly he did throw

  Ouer his head, before the harme came neare.

  Nathlesse it fell with so despiteous dreare

  And heauie sway, that hard vnto his crowne

  The shield it droue, and did the couering reare:

  Therewith both Squire and dwarfe did tomble downe

  Vnto the earth, and lay long while in senselesse swowne.

  Whereat the Prince full wrath, his strong right hand

  In full auengement heaued vp on hie,

  And stroke the Pagan with his steely brand

  So sore, that to his saddle bow thereby

  He bowed low, and so a while did lie:

  And sure had not his massie yron mace

  Betwixt him and his hurt bene happily,

  It would haue cleft him to the girding place,

  Yet as it was, it did astonish him long space.

  But when he to himselfe returnd againe,

  All full of rage he gan to curse and sweare,

  And vow by Mahoune that he should be slaine.

  With that his murdrous mace he vp did reare,

  That seemed nought the souse thereof could beare,

  And therewith smote at him with all his might.

  But ere that it to him approched neare,

  The royall child with readie quicke foresight,

  Did shun the proofe thereof and it auoyded light.

  But ere his hand he could recure againe,

  To ward his bodie from the balefull stound,

  He smote at him with all his might and maine,

  So furiously, that ere he wist, he found

  His head before him tombling on the ground.

  The whiles his babling tongue did yet blaspheme

  And curse his God, that did him so confound;

  The whiles his life ran foorth in bloudie streame,

  His soule descended downe into the Stygian reame.

  Which when that Squire beheld, he woxe full glad

  To see his foe breath out his spright in vaine:

  But that same dwarfe right sorie seem'd and sad,

  And howld aloud to see his Lord there slaine,

  And rent his haire and scratcht his face for paine.

  Then gan the Prince at leasure to inquire

  Of all the accident, there hapned plaine,

  And what he was, whose eyes did flame with fire;

  All which was thus to him declared by that Squire.

  This mightie man (quoth he) whom you haue slaine,

  Of an huge Geauntesse whylome was bred;

  And by his strength rule to himselfe did gaine

  Of many Nations into thraldome led,

  And mightie kingdomes of his force adred;

  Whom yet he conquer'd not by bloudie fight,

  Ne hostes of men with banners brode dispred,

  But by the powre of his infectious sight,

  With which he killed all, that came within his might.

  Ne was he euer vanquished afore,

  But euer vanquisht all, with whom he fought;

  Ne was there man so strong, but he downe bore,

  Ne woman yet so faire, but he her brought

  Vnto his bay, and captiued her thought.

  For most of strength and beautie his desire

  Was spoyle to make, and wast them vnto nought,

  By casting secret flakes of lustfull fire

  From his false eyes, into their harts and parts entire.

  Therefore Corflambo was he cald aright,

  Though namelesse there his bodie now doth lie,

  Yet hath he left one daughter that is hight

  The faire Poeana; who seemes outwardly

  So faire, as euer yet saw liuing eie:

  And were her vertue like her beautie bright,

  She were as faire as any vnder skie.

  But ah she giuen is to vaine delight,

  And eke too loose of life, and eke of loue too light.

  So as it fell there was a gentle Squire,

  That lou'd a Ladie of high parentage;

  But for his meane degree might not aspire

  To match so high, her friends with counsell sage,

  Dissuaded her from such a disparage.

  But she, whose hart to loue was wholly lent,

  Out of his hands could not redeeme her gage,

  But firmely following her first intent,

  Resolu'd with him to wend, gainst all her friends consent.

  So twixt themselues they pointed time and place,

  To which when he according did repaire,

  An hard mishap and disauentrous case

  Him chaunst; in stead of his Æmylia faire

  This Gyants sonne, that lies there on the laire

  An headlesse heape, him vnawares there caught,

  And all dismayd through mercilesse despaire,

  Him wretched thrall vnto his dongeon brought,

  Where he remaines, of all vnsuccour'd and vnsought.

  This Gyants daughter came vpon a day

  Vnto the prison in her ioyous glee,

  To view the thrals, which there in bondage lay:

  Amongst the rest she chaunced there to see

  This louely swaine the Squire of low degree;

  To whom she did her liking lightly cast,

  And wooed him her paramour to bee:

  From day to day she woo'd and prayd him fast,

  And for his loue him promist libertie at last.

  He though affide vnto a former loue,

  To whom his faith he firmely ment to hold,

  Yet seeing not how thence he mote remoue,

  But by that meanes, which fortune did vnfold,

  Her graunted loue, but with affection cold

  To win her grace his libertie to get.

  Yet she him still detaines in captiue hold

  Fearing least if she should him freely set,

  He would her shortly leaue, and former loue forget.

  Yet so much fauour she to him hath hight,

  Aboue the rest, that he sometimes may space

  And walke about her gardens of delight,

  Hauing a keeper still with him in place;

  Which keeper is this Dwarfe, her dearling base,

  To whom the keyes of euery prison dore

  By her committed be, of speciall grace,

  And at his will may whom he list restore,

  And whom he list reserue, to be afflicted more.

  Whereof when tydings came vnto mine eare,

  Full inly sorie for the feruent zeale,

  Which I to him as to my soule did beare;

  I thether went where I did long conceale

  My selfe, till that the Dwarfe did me reueale,

  And told his Dame, her Squire of low degree

  Did secretly out of her prison steale;

  For me he did mistake that Squire to be;

  For neuer two so like did liuing creature see.

  Then was I taken and before her brought:

  Who through the likenesse of my outward hew,

  Being likewise beguiled in her thought,

  Gan blame me much for being so vntrew,

  To seeke by flight her fellowship t'eschew,

  That lou'd me deare, as dearest thing aliue.

  Thence she commaunded me to prison new;

  Whereof I glad did not gainesay nor striue,

  But suffred that same Dwarfe me to her dongeon driue.

  There did I finde mine onely faithfull frend

  In heauy plight and sad perplexitie;

  Whereof I sorie, yet my selfe did bend,

  Him to recomfort with my companie.

  But him the more agreeu'd I found thereby:

  For all his ioy, he said, in that distresse

  Was mine and his Æmylias libertie.

  Æmylia well he lou'd, as I mote ghesse;

  Yet greater loue to me th
en her he did professe.

  But I with better reason him auiz'd,

  And shew'd him how through error and mis-thought

  Of our like persons eath to be disguiz'd,

  Or his exchange, or freedome might be wrought.

  Whereto full loth was he, ne would for ought

  Consent, that I who stood all fearelesse free,

  Should wilfully be into thraldome brought,

  Till fortune did perforce it so decree.

  Yet ouerrul'd at last, he did to me agree.

  The morrow next about the wonted howre,

  The Dwarfe cald at the doore of Amyas,

  To come forthwith vnto his Ladies bowre.

  In steed of whom forth came I Placidas,

  And vndiscerned, forth with him did pas.

  There with great ioyance and with gladsome glee,

  Of faire Poeana I receiued was,

  And oft imbrast, as if that I were hee,

  And with kind words accoyd, vowing great loue to mee.

  Which I, that was not bent to former loue,

  As was my friend, that had her long refusd,

  Did well accept, as well it did behoue,

  And to the present neede it wisely vsd.

  My former hardnesse first I faire excusd;

  And after promist large amends to make.

  With such smooth termes her error I abusd,

  To my friends good, more then for mine owne sake,

  For whose sole libertie I loue and life did stake.

  Thenceforth I found more fauour at her hand,

  That to her Dwarfe, which had me in his charge,

  She bad to lighten my too heauie band,

  And graunt more scope to me to walke at large.

  So on a day as by the flowrie marge

  Of a fresh streame I with that Elfe did play,

  Finding no meanes how I might vs enlarge,

  But if that Dwarfe I could with me conuay,

  I lightly snatcht him vp, and with me bore away.

  Thereat he shriekt aloud, that with his cry

  The Tyrant selfe came forth with yelling bray,

  And me pursew'd; but nathemore would I

  Forgoe the purchase of my gotten pray,

  But haue perforce him hether brought away.

  Thus as they talked, loe where nigh at hand

  Those Ladies two yet doubtfull through dismay