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lirik lagu micheál macliammóir - the faerie queen - book iii, cantos xi, and xii

o hatefull h~llish snake, what furie furst
brought thee from balefull house of proserpine
where in her bosome she thee long had nurst
and fostred vp with bitter milke of tine
fowle gealosie, that turnest loue diuine
to ioylesse dread, and mak’st the louing hart
with hatefull thoughts to languish and to pine
and feed it selfe with selfe~consuming smart?
of all the passions in the mind thou vilest art
o let him far be banished away
and in his stead let loue for еuer dwell
sweet loue, that doth his golding wings еmbay
in blessed nectar, and pure pleasures well
vntroubled of vile feare, or bitter fell
and ye faire ladies, that your kingdomes make
in th’harts of men, them gouerne wisely well
and of faire britomart ensample take
that was as trew in loue, as turtle to her make

who with sir satyrane, as earst ye red
forth ryding from malbeccoes hostlesse hous
far off aspyde a young man, the which fled
from an huge geaunt, that with hideous
and hatefull outrage long him chaced thus;
it was that ollyphant, the brother deare
of that argante vile and vitious
from whom the squire of dames was reft whylere;
this all as bad as she, and worse, if worse ought were
for as the sister did in feminine
and filthy l~st exceede all woman kind
so he surpassed his s~x masculine
in beastly vse that i did euer find;
whom when as britomart beheld behind
the fearefull boy so greedily pursew
she was emmoued in her n0ble mind
t’employ her puissaunce to his reskew
and pr~cked fiercely forward, where she him did vew

ne was sir satyrane her far behinde
but with like fiercenesse did ensew the chace:
whom when the gyaunt saw, he soone resinde
his former suit, and from them fled apace;
they after both, and boldly bad him bace
and each did striue the other to out~goe
but he them both outran a wondrous sp~ce
for he was long, and swift as any roe
and now made better speed, t’escape his feared foe

it was not satyrane, whom he did feare
but britomart the flowre of chastity;
for he the powre of chast hands might not beare
but alwayes did their dread encounter fly:
and now so fast his feet he did apply
that he has gotten to a forrest neare
where he is shrowded in security
the wood they enter, and search euery where
they searched diuersely, so both diuided were
faire britomart so long him followed
that she at last came to a fountaine sheare
by which there lay a knight all wallowed
vpon the grassy ground, and by him neare
his haberieon, his helmet, and his speare;
a little off, his shield was rudely throwne
on which the winged boy in colours cleare
depeincted was, full easie to be knowne
and he thereby, where euer it in field was showne

his face vpon the ground did groueling ly
as if he had bene slombring in the shade
that the braue mayd would not for courtesy
out of his quiet slomber him abrade
nor seeme too suddeinly him to inuade:
still as she stood, she heard with grieuous throb
him grone, as if his hart were peeces made
and with most painefull pangs to sigh and sob
that pitty did the virgins hart of patience rob

at last forth breaking into bitter plaintes
he said; ô soueraigne lord that sit’st on hye
and raignst in blis emongst thy blessed saintes
how suffrest thou such shamefull cruelty
so long vnwreaked of thine enimy?
or hast thou, lord, of good mens cause no heed?
or doth thy iustice sleepe, and silent ly?
what booteth then the good and righteous deed
if goodnesse find no grace, nor righteousnesse no meed?
if good find grace, and righteousnesse reward
why then is amoret in caytiue band
sith that more bounteous creature neuer far’d
on foot, vpon the face of liuing land?
or if that heauenly iustice may withstand
the wrongfull outrage of vnrighteous men
why then is busirane with wicked hand
suffred, these seuen monethes day in secret den
my lady and my loue so cruelly to pen?

my lady and my loue is cruelly pend
in dolefull darkenesse from the vew of day
whilest deadly torments do her chast brest rend
and the sharpe steele doth riue her hart in tway
all for she scudamore will not denay
yet thou vile man, vile scudamore art sound
ne canst her ayde, ne canst her foe dismay:
vnworthy wretch to tread vpon the ground
for whom so faire a lady feeles so sore a wound

there an huge heape of singulfes did oppresse
his strugling soule, and swelling throbs empeach
his foltring toung with pangs of drerinesse
choking the remnant of his plaintife speach
as if his dayes were come to their last reach
which when she heard, and saw the ghastly fit
threatning into his life to make a breach
both with great ruth and terrour she was smit
fearing least from her cage the wearie soule would flit

tho stooping downe she him amoued light;
who therewith somewhat starting, vp gan looke
and seeing him behind a straunger knight
whereas no liuing creature he mistooke
with great indignaunce he that sight forsooke
and downe againe himselfe disdainefully
abiecting, th’earth with his faire forhead strooke:
which the bold virgin seeing, gan apply
fit medcine to his griefe, and spake thus courtesly

ah gentle knight, whose deepe conceiued griefe
well seemes t’exceede the powre of patience
yet if that heauenly grace some good reliefe
you send, submit you to high prouidence
and euer in your n0ble hart prepense
that all the sorrow in the world is lesse
then vertues might, and values confidence
for who nill bide the burden of distresse
must not here thinke to liue: for life is wretchednesse

therefore, faire sir, do comfort to you take
and freely read, what wicked felon so
hath outrag’d you, and thrald your gentle make
perhaps this hand may helpe to ease your woe
and wreake your sorrow on your cruell foe
at least it faire endeuour will apply
those feeling wordes so neare the quicke did goe
that vp his head he reared easily
and leaning on his elbow, these few wordes let fly

what boots it plaine, that cannot be redrest
and sow vaine sorrow in a fruitlesse eare
sith powre of hand, nor sk!ll of learned brest
ne worldly price cannot redeeme my deare
out of her thraldome and continuall feare?
for he the tyraunt, which her hath in ward
by strong enchauntments and blacke magicke leare
hath in a dungeon deepe her close embard
and many dreadfull feends hath pointed to her gard

there he tormenteth her most terribly
and day and night afflicts with mortall paine
because to yield him loue she doth deny
once to me yold, not to be yold againe:
but yet by torture he would her constraine
loue to conceiue in her disdainfull brest;
till so she do, she must in doole remaine
ne may by liuing meanes be thence relest:
what boots it then to plaine, that cannot be redrest?

with this sad hersall of his heauy stresse
the warlike damzell was empassiond sore
and said; sir knight, your cause is nothing lesse
then is your sorrow, certes if not more;
for nothing so much pitty doth implore
as gentle ladies helplesse misery
but yet, if please ye listen to my lore
i will with proofe of last extremity
deliuer her fro thence, or with her for you dy

ah gentlest knight aliue, (said scudamore)
what huge heroicke magnanimity
dwels in thy bounteous brest? what couldst thou more
if she were thine, and thou as now am i?
o spare thy happy dayes, and them apply
to better boot, but let me dye, that ought;
more is more losse: one is enough to dy
life is not lost, (said she) for which is bought
endlesse renowm, that more then death is to be sought

thus she at length perswaded him to rise
and with her wend, to see what new successe
mote him befall vpon new enterprise;
his armes, which he had vowed to disprofesse
she gathered vp and did about him dresse
and his forwandred steed vnto him got:
so forth they both yfere make their progresse
and march not past the mountenaunce of a shot
till they arriu’d, whereas their purpose they did plot

there they dismounting, drew their weapons bold
and stoutly came vnto the castle gate;
whereas no gate they found, them to withhold
nor ward to wait at morne and euening late
but in the porch, that did them sore amate
a flaming fire, ymixt with smouldry smoke
and stinking sulphure, that with griesly hate
and dreadfull horrour did all entraunce choke
enforced them their forward footing to reuoke

greatly thereat was britomart dismayd
ne in that stownd wist, how her selfe to beare;
for daunger vaine it were, to haue assayd
that cruell element, which all things feare
ne none can suffer to approchen neare:
and turning backe to scudamour, thus sayd;
what monstrous enmity prouoke we heare
foolhardy as th’earthes children, the which made
battell against the gods? so we a god inuade

daunger without discretion to attempt
inglorious and beastlike is: therefore sir knight
aread what course of you is safest dempt
and how we with our foe may come to fight
this is (quoth he) the dolorous despight
which earst to you i playnd: for neither may
this fire be quencht by any wit or might
ne yet by any meanes remou’d away
so mighty be th’enchauntments, which the same do stay

what is there else, but cease these fruitlesse paines
and leaue me to my former languishing;
faire amoret must dwell in wicked chaines
and scudamore here dye with sorrowing
perdy not so; (said she) for shamefull thing
it were t’abandon n0ble cheuisaunce
for shew of perill, without venturing:
rather let try extremities of chaunce
then enterprised prayse for dread to disauaunce

therewith resolu’d to proue her vtmost might
her ample shield she threw before her face
and her swords point directing forward right
assayld the flame, the which eftsoones gaue place
and did it selfe diuide with equall sp~ce
that through she passed; as a thunder bolt
perceth the yielding ayre, and doth displace
the soring clouds into sad showres ymolt;
so to her yold the flames, and did their force reuolt

whom whenas scudamour saw past the fire
safe and vntoucht, he likewise gan assay
with greedy will, and enuious desire
and bad the stubborne flames to yield him way:
but cruell mulciber would not obay
his threatfull pride, but did the more augment
his mighty rage, and with imperious sway
him forst (maulgre) his fiercenesse to relent
and backe retire, all scorcht and pitifully brent

with huge impatience he inly swelt
more for great sorrow, that he could not pas
then for the burning torment, which he felt
that with fell woodnesse he effierced was
and wilfully him throwing on the gras
did beat and bounse his head and brest full sore;
the whiles the championesse now entred has
the vtmost rowme, and past the formest dore
the vtmost rowme, abounding with all precious store

for round about, the wals yclothed were
with goodly arras of great maiesty
wouen with gold and silke so close and nere
that the rich metall lurked priuily
as faining to be hid from enuious eye;
yet here, and there, and euery where vnwares
it shewd it selfe, and shone vnwillingly;
like a discolourd snake, whose hidden snares
through the greene gras his long bright burnisht backe declares

and in those tapets weren fashioned
many faire pourtraicts, and many a faire feate
and all of loue, and all of l~sty~hed
as seemed by their semblaunt did entreat;
and eke all cupids warres they did repeate
and cruell battels, which he whilome fought
gainst all the gods, to make his empire great;
besides the huge massacres, which he wrought
on mighty kings and kesars, into thraldome brought

therein was writ, how often thundring ioue
had felt the point of his hart~percing dart
and leauing heauens kingdome, here did roue
in straunge disguize, to slake his scalding smart;
now like a ram, faire h~lle to peruart
now like a bull, europa to withdraw:
ah, how the fearefull ladies tender hart
did liuely seeme to tremble, wheh she saw
the huge seas vnder her t’obay her seruaunts law

soone after that into a golden showre
him selfe he chaung’d faire danaë to vew
and through the roofe of her strong brasen towre
did raine into her lap an hony dew
the whiles her foolish garde, that little knew
of such deceipt, kept th’yron dore fast bard
and watcht, that none should enter nor issew;
vaine was the watch, and bootlesse all the ward
whenas the god to golden hew him selfe transfard

then was he turnd into a snowy swan
to win faire leda to his louely trade:
o wondrous sk!ll, and sweet wit of the man
that her in daffadillies sleeping made
from scorching heat her daintie limbes to shade:
whiles the proud bird ruffing his fethers wyde
and brushing his faire brest, did her inuade;
she slept, yet twixt her eyelids closely spyde
how towards her he rusht, and smiled at his pryde

then shewd it, how the thebane semelee
deceiu’d of gealous iuno, did require
to see him in his soueraigne maiestee
armd with his thunderbolts and lightning fire
whence dearely she with death bought her desire
but faire alcmena better match did make
ioying his loue in likenesse more entire;
three nights in one, they say, that for her sake
he then did put, her pleasures lenger to partake

twise was he seene in soaring eagles shape
and with wide wings to beat the buxome ayre
once, when he with asterie did scape
againe, when as the troiane boy so faire
he sn~tcht from ida hill, and with him bare:
wondrous delight it was, there to behould
how the rude shepheards after him did stare
trembling through feare, least down he fallen should
and often to him calling, to take surer hould

in satyres shape antiopa he sn~tcht:
and like a fire, when he aegin’ assayd:
a shepheard, when mnemosyne he catcht:
and like a serpent to the thracian mayd
whiles thus on earth great ioue these pageaunts playd
the winged boy did thrust into his throne
and scoffing, thus vnto his mother sayd
lo now the heauens obey to me alone
and take me for their ioue, whiles ioue to earth is gone

and thou, faire phoebus, in thy colours bright
wast there enwouen, and the sad distresse
in which that boy thee plonged, for despight
that thou bewray’dst his mothers wantonnesse
when she with mars was meynt in ioyfulnesse:
for thy, he thrild thee with a leaden dart
to loue faire daphne, which thee loued lesse:
lesse she thee lou’d, then was thy iust desart
yet was thy loue her death, & her death was thy smart

so louedst thou the l~sty hyacinct
so louedst thou the faire coronis deare:
yet both are of thy haplesse hand extinct
yet both in flowres do liue, and loue thee beare
the one a paunce, the other a sweet breare:
for griefe whereof, ye mote haue liuely seene
the god himselfe rending his golden heare
and breaking quite his gyrlond euer greene
with other signes of sorrow and impatient teene

both for those two, and for his owne deare sonne
the sonne of climene he did repent
who bold to guide the charet of the sunne
himselfe in thousand peeces fondly rent
and all the world with flashing fier brent;
so like, that all the walles did seeme to flame
yet cruell cupid, not herewith content
forst him eftsoones to follow other game
and loue a shepheards daughter for his dearest dame

he loued isse for his dear est dame
and for her sake her cattell fed a while
and for her sake a cowheard vile became
the seruant of admetus cowheard vile
whiles that from heauen he suffered exile
long were to tell each other louely fit
now like a lyon, hunting after spoile
now like a stag, now like a faulcon flit:
all which in that faire arras was most liuely writ

next vnto him was neptune pictured
in his diuine resemblance wondrous lyke:
his face was rugged, and his h~~rie hed
dropped with brackish deaw; his three~forkt pyke
he stearnly shooke, and therewith fierce did stryke
the raging billowes, that on euery syde
they trembling stood, and made a long broad dyk~
that his swift charet might haue passage wyde
which foure great hippodames did draw in temewise tyde

his sea~horses did seeme to sport amayne
and from their nosethrilles blow the brynie streame
that made the sparckling waues to smoke agayne
and flame with gold, but the white fomy creame
did shine with siluer, and shoot forth his beame
the god himselfe did pensiue seeme and sad
and hong adowne his head, as he did dreame:
for priuy loue his brest empierced had
ne ought but deare bisaltis ay could make him glad

he loued eke iphimedia deare
and aeolus faire daughter arne hight
for whom he turnd him selfe into a steare
and fed on fodder, to beguile her sight
also to win deucalions daughter bright
he turnd him selfe into a dolphin fayre;
and like a winged horse he tooke his flight
to snaky~locke medusa to repayre
on whom he got faire pegasus, that flitteth in the ayre

next saturne was, (but who would euer weene
that sullein saturne euer weend to loue?
yet loue is sullein, and saturnlike seene
as he did for erigone it proue,)
that to a centaure did him selfe transmoue
so proou’d it eke that gracious god of wine
when for to compasse philliras hard loue
he turnd himselfe into a fruitfull vine
and into her faire bosome made his grapes decline

long were to tell the amorous assayes
and gentle pangues, with which he maked meeke
the mighty mars, to learne his wanton playes:
how oft for venus, and how often eek
for many other nymphes he sore did shreek
with womanish teares, and with vnwarlike smarts
priuily moystening his horrid cheek
there was he painted full of burning darts
and many wide woundes launched through his inner parts

ne did he spare (so cruell was the elfe)
his owne deare mother, (ah why should he so?)
ne did he spare sometime to pr~cke himselfe
that he might taste the sweet consuming woe
which he had wrought to many others moe
but to declare the mournfull tragedyes
and spoiles, wherewith he all the ground did strow
more eath to number, with how many eyes
high heauen beholds sad louers nightly theeueryes

kings queenes, lords ladies, knights & damzels gent
were heap’d together with the vulgar sort
and mingled with the raskall rablement
without respect of person or of port
to shew dan cupids powre and great effort:
and round about a border was entrayld
of broken bowes and arrowes shiuered short
and a long bloudy riuer through them rayld
so liuely and so like, that liuing sence it fayld

and at the vpper end of that faire rowme
there was an altar built of pretious stone
of passing valew, and of great renowme
on which there stood an image all alone
of massy gold, which with his owne light shone;
and wings it had with sundry colours dight
more sundry colours, then the proud pauone
beares in his boasted fan, or iris bright
when her discolourd bow she spreds through heauens hight

blindfold he was, and in his cruell fist
a mortall bow and arrowes keene did hold
with which he shot at randon, when him list
some headed with sad lead, some with pure gold;
(ah man beware, how thou those darts behold)
a wounded dragon vnder him did ly
whose hideous tayle his left foot did enfold
and with a shaft was shot through either eye
that no man forth might draw, ne no man remedye

and vnderneath his feet was written thus
vnto the victor of the gods this bee:
and all the people in that ample hous
did to that image bow their humble knee
and oft committed fowle idolatree
that wondrous sight faire britomart amazed
ne seeing could her wonder satisfie
but euermore and more vpon it gazed
the whiles the passing brightnes her fraile sences dazed

tho as she backward cast her busie eye
to search each secret of that goodly sted
ouer the dore thus written she did spye
be bold: she oft and oft it ouer~red
yet could not find what sence it figured:
but what so were therein or writ or ment
she was no whit thereby discouraged
from prosecuting of her first intent
but forward with bold steps into the next roome went

much fairer, then the former, was that roome
and richlier by many partes arayd:
for not with arras made in painefull loome
but with pure gold it all was ouerlayd
wrought with wilde antickes, which their follies playd
in the rich metall, as they liuing were:
a thousand monstrous formes therein were made
such as false loue doth oft vpon him weare:
for loue in thousand monstrous formes doth oft appeare

and all about, the glistring walles were hong
with warlike spoiles, and with victorious prayes
of mighty conquerours and captaines strong
which were whilome captiued in their dayes
to cruell loue, and wrought their owne decayes:
their swerds & speres were broke, & hauberques rent;
and their proud girlonds of tryumphant bayes
troden in dust with fury insolent
to shew the victors might and mercilesse intent

the warlike mayde beholding earnestly
the goodly ordinance of this rich place
did greatly wonder, ne could satisfie
her greedy eyes with gazing a long sp~ce:
but more she meruaild that no footings trace
nor wight appear’d, but wastefull emptinesse
and solemne silence ouer all that place:
straunge thing it seem’d, that none was to possesse
so rich purueyance, ne them keepe with carefulnesse

and as she lookt about, she did behold
how ouer that same dore was likewise writ
be bold, be bold, and euery where be bold
that much she muz’d, yet could not construe it
by any ridling sk!ll, or commune wit
at last she spyde at that roomes vpper end
another yron dore, on which was writ
be not too bold; whereto though she did bend
her earnest mind, yet wist not what it might intend

thus she there waited vntill euentyde
yet liuing creature none she saw appeare:
and now sad shadowes gan the world to hyde
from mortall vew, and wrap in darkenesse dreare;
yet nould she d’off her weary armes, for feare
of secret daunger, ne let sleepe oppresse
her heauy eyes with natures burdein deare
but drew her selfe aside in sickernesse
and her welpointed weapons did about her dresse

tho when as chearelesse night ycouered had
faire heauen with an vniuersall cloud
that euery wight dismayd with darknesse sad
in silence and in sleepe themselues did shroud
she heard a shrilling trompet sound aloud
signe of nigh battell, or got victory;
nought therewith daunted was her courage proud
but rather stird to cruell enmity
expecting euer, when some foe she might descry
with that, an hideous storme of winde arose
with dreadfull thunder and lightning atwixt
and an earth~quake, as if it streight would lose
the worlds foundations from his centre fixt;
a direfull stench of smoke and sulphure mixt
ensewd, whose noyance fild the fearefull sted
from the fourth houre of night vntill the sixt;
yet the bold britonesse was nought ydred
though much emmou’d, but stedfast still perseuered

all suddenly a stormy whirlwind blew
throughout the house, that clapped euery dore
with which that yron wicket open flew
as it with mightie leuers had bene tore:
and forth issewd, as on the ready flore
of some theatre, a graue personage
that in his hand a branch of laurell bore
with comely haueour and count’nance sage
yclad in costly garments, fit for tragicke stage

proceeding to the midst, he still did stand
as if in mind he somewhat had to say
and to the vulgar beckning with his hand
in signe of silence, as to heare a play
by liuely actions he gan bewray
some argument of matter passioned;
which doen, he backe retyred soft away
and passing by, his name discouered
ease, on his robe in golden letters cyphered

the n0ble mayd, still standing all this vewd
and merueild at his strange intendiment;
with that a ioyous fellowship issewd
of minstrals, making goodly meriment
with wanton bardes, and rymers impudent
all which together sung full chearefully
a lay of loues delight, with sweet consent:
after whom marcht a iolly company
in manner of a maske, enranged orderly

the whiles a most delitious harmony
in full straunge notes was sweetly heard to sound
that the rare sweetnesse of the melody
the feeble senses wholly did confound
and the fraile soule in deepe delight nigh dround:
and when it ceast, shrill trompets loud did bray
that their report did farre away rebound
and when they ceast, it gan againe to play
the whiles the maskers marched forth in trim aray

the first was fancy, like a louely boy
of rare aspect, and beautie without peare;
matchable either to that ympe of troy
whom ioue did loue, and chose his cup to beare
or that same daintie lad, which was so deare
to great alcides, that when as he dyde
he wailed womanlike with many a teare
and euery wood, and euery valley wyde
he fild with hylas name; the nymphes eke hylas cryde

his garment neither was of silke nor say
but painted plumes, in goodly order dight
like as the sunburnt indians do aray
their tawney bodies, in their proudest plight:
as those same plumes, so seemd he vaine and light
that by his gate might easily appeare;
for still he far’d as dauncing in delight
and in his hand a windy fan did beare
that in the idle aire he mou’d still here and there

and him beside marcht amorous desyre
who seemd of riper yeares, then th’other swaine
yet was that other swayne this elders syre
and gaue him being, commune to them twaine:
his garment was disguised very vaine
and his embrodered bonet sat awry;
twixt both his hands few sparkes he close did straine
which still he blew, and kindled busily
that soone they life conceiu’d, & forth in flames did fly

next after him went doubt, who was yclad
in a discolour’d cote, of straunge disguyse
that at his backe a brode capuccio had
and sleeues dependant albanese~wyse:
he lookt askew with his mistrustfull eyes
and nicely trode, as th~rnes lay in his way
or that the flore to shrinke he did auyse
and on a broken reed he still did stay
his feeble steps, which shrunke, when hard theron he lay

with him went daunger, cloth’d in ragged weed
made of beares skin, that him more dreadfull made
yet his owne face was dreadfull, ne did need
straunge horrour, to deforme his griesly shade;
a net in th’one hand, and a rustie blade
in th’other was, this mischiefe, that mishap;
with th’one his foes he threatned to inuade
with th’other he his friends ment to enwrap:
for whom he could not k!ll, he practizd to entrap

next him was feare, all arm’d from top to toe
yet thought himselfe not safe enough thereby
but feard each shadow mouing to and fro
and his owne armes when glittering he did spy
or clashing heard, he fast away did fly
as ashes pale of hew, and wingyheeld;
and euermore on daunger fixt his eye
gainst whom he alwaies bent a brasen shield
which his right hand vnarmed fearefully did wield

with him went hope in rancke, a handsome mayd
of chearefull looke and louely to behold;
in silken samite she was light arayd
and her faire lockes were wouen vp in gold;
she alway smyld, and in her hand did hold
an holy water sprinckle, dipt in deowe
with which she sprinckled fauours manifold
on whom she list, and did great liking sheowe
great liking vnto many, but true loue to feowe

and after them dissemblance, and suspect
marcht in one rancke, yet an vnequall paire:
for she was gentle, and of milde aspect
courteous to all, and seeming debonaire
goodly adorned, and exceeding faire:
yet was that all but painted, and purloynd
and her bright browes were deckt with borrowed haire:
her deedes were forged, and her words false coynd
and alwaies in her hand two clewes of silke she twynd

but he was foule, ill fauoured, and grim
vnder his eyebrowes looking still askaunce;
and euer as dissemblance laught on him
he lowrd on her with daungerous eyeglaunce;
shewing his nature in his countenance;
his rolling eyes did neuer rest in place
but walkt each where, for feare of hid mischaunce
holding a lattice still before his face
through which he still did peepe, as forward he did pace

next him went griefe, and fury matcht yfere;
griefe all in sable sorrowfully clad
downe hanging his dull head, with heauy chere
yet inly being more, then seeming sad:
a paire of pincers in his hand he had
with which he pinched people to the hart
that from thenceforth a wretched life they lad
in wilfull languor and consuming smart
dying each day with inward wounds of dolours dart

but fury was full ill appareiled
in rags, that naked nigh she did appeare
with ghastly lookes and dreadfull drerihed;
for from her backe her garments she did teare
and from her head oft rent her snarled heare:
in her right hand a firebrand she did tosse
about her head, still roming here and there;
as a dismayed deare in chace embost
forgetfull of his safety, hath his right way lost

after them went displeasure and pleasance
he looking lompish and full sullein sad
and hanging downe his heauy countenance;
she chearefull fresh and full of ioyance glad
as if no sorrow she ne felt ne drad;
that euill matched paire they seemd to bee:
an angry waspe th’one in a viall had
th’other in hers an hony~lady bee;
thus marched these sixe couples forth in faire degree

after all these there marcht a most faire dame
led of two grysie villeins, th’one despight
the other cleped cruelty by name:
she dolefull lady, like a dreary spright
cald by strong charmes out of eternall night
had deathes owne image figurd in her face
full of sad signes, fearefull to liuing sight;
yet in that horror shewd a seemely grace
and with her feeble feet did moue a comely pace

her brest all naked, as net iuory
without adorne of gold or siluer bright
wherewith the craftesman wonts it beautify
of her dew honour was despoyled quight
and a wide wound therein (o ruefull sight)
entrenched deepe with knife accursed keene
yet freshly bleeding forth her fainting spright
(the worke of cruell hand) was to be seene
that dyde in sanguine red her skin all snowy cleene

at that wide orifice her trembling hart
was drawne forth, and in siluer basin layd
quite through transfixed with a deadly dart
and in her bloud yet steeming fresh embayd:
and those two villeins, which her steps vpstayd
when her weake feete could scarcely her sustaine
and fading vitall powers gan to fade
her forward still with torture did constraine
and euermore encreased her consuming paine

next after her the winged god himselfe
came riding on a lion rauenous
taught to obay the menage of that elfe
that man and beast with powre imperious
subdeweth to his kingdome tyrannous:
his blindfold eyes he bad a while vnbind
that his proud spoyle of that same dolorous
faire dame he might behold in perfect kind;
which seene, he much reioyced in his cruell mind

of which full proud, himselfe vp rearing hye
he looked round about with sterne disdaine;
and did suruay his goodly company:
and marshalling the euill ordered traine
with that the darts which his right hand did straine
full dreadfully he shooke that all did quake
and clapt on hie his coulourd winges twaine
that all his many it affraide did make:
tho blinding him againe, his way he forth did take

behinde him was reproch, repentance, shame;
reproch the first, shame next, repent behind:
repentance feeble, sorrowfull, and lame:
reproch despightfull, carelesse, and vnkind;
shame most ill fauourd, b~st~~ll, and blind:
shame lowrd, repentance sigh’d, reproch did scould;
reproch sharpe stings, repentance whips entwind
shame burning brond~yrons in her hand did hold:
all three to each vnlike, yet all made in one mould

and after them a rude confused rout
of persons flockt, whose names is hard to read:
emongst them was sterne strife, and anger stout
vnquiet care, and fond vnthriftihead
lewd losse of time, and sorrow seeming dead
inconstant chaunge, and false disloyaltie
consuming riotise, and guilty dread
of heauenly vengeance, faint infirmitie
vile pouertie, and lastly death with infamie

there were full many moe like maladies
whose names and natures i note readen well;
so many moe, as there be phantasies
in wauering wemens wit, that none can tell
or paines in loue, or punishments in h~ll;
all which disguized marcht in masking wise
about the chamber with that damozell
and then returned, hauing marched thrise
into the inner roome, from whence they first did rise

so soone as they were in, the dore streight way
fast locked, driuen with that stormy blast
which first it opened; and bore all away
then the braue maid, which all this while was plast
in secret shade, and saw both first and last
issewed forth, and went vnto the dore
to enter in, but found it locked fast:
it vaine she thought with rigorous vprore
for to efforce, when charmes had closed it afore

where force might not auaile, their sleights and art
she cast to vse, both fit for hard emprize;
for thy, from that same roome not to depart
till morrow next, she did her selfe auize
when that same maske againe should forth arize
the morrow next appeard with ioyous cheare
calling men to their daily exercize
then she, as morrow fresh, her selfe did reare
out of her secret stand, that day for to out weare

all that day she outwore in wandering
and gazing on that chambers ornament
till that againe the second euening
her couered with her sable vestiment
wherewith the worlds faire beautie she hath blent:
then when the second watch was almost past
that brasen dore flew open, and in went
bold britomart, as she had late forecast
neither of idle shewes, nor of false charmes aghast

so soone as she was entred, round about
she cast her eies, to see what was become
of all those persons, which she saw without:
but lo, they streight were vanisht all and some
ne liuing wight she saw in all that roome
saue that same woefull ladie, both whose hands
were bounden fast, that did her ill become
and her small wast girt round with yron bands
vnto a brasen pillour, by the which she stands

and her before the vile enchaunter sate
figuring straunge characters of his art
with liuing bloud he those characters wrate
dreadfully dropping from her dying hart
seeming transfixed with a cruell dart
and all perforce to make her him to loue
ah who can loue the worker of her smart?
a thousand charmes he formerly did proue;
yet thousand charmes could not her stedfast heart remoue

soone as that virgin knight he saw in place
his wicked bookes in hast he ouerthrew
not caring his long labours to deface
and fiercely ronning to that lady trew
a murdrous knife out of his pocket drew
the which he thought, for villeinous despight
in her tormented bodie to embrew:
but the stout damzell to him leaping light
his cursed hand withheld, and maistered his might

from her, to whom his fury first he ment
the wicked weapon rashly he did wrest
and turning to her selfe his fell intent
vnwares it strooke into her snowie chest
that little drops empurpled her faire brest
exceeding wroth therewith the virgin grew
albe the wound were nothing deepe imprest
and fiercely forth her mortall blade she drew
to giue him the reward for such vile outrage dew

so mightily she smote him, that to ground
he fell halfe dead; next stroke him should haue slaine
had not the lady, which by him stood bound
dernely vnto her called to abstaine
from doing him to dy. for else her paine
should be remedilesse, sith none but hee
which wrought it, could the same recure againe
therewith she stayd her hand, loth stayd to bee;
for life she him enuyde, and long’d reuenge to see

and to him said, thou wicked man, whose meed
for so huge mischiefe, and vile villany
is death, or if that ought do death exceed
be sure, that nought may saue thee from to dy
but if that thou this dame doe presently
restore vnto her health, and former state;
this doe and liue, else die vndoubtedly
he glad of life, that lookt for death but late
did yield himselfe right willing to prolong his date

and rising vp, gan streight to ouerlooke
those cursed leaues, his charmes backe to reuerse;
full dreadfull things out of that balefull booke
he red, and measur’d many a sad verse
that horror gan the virgins hart to perse
and her faire locks vp stared stiffe on end
hearing him those same bloudy lines reherse;
and all the while he red, she did extend
her sword high ouer him, if ought he did offend

anon she gan perceiue the house to quake
and all the dores to rattle round about;
yet all that did not her dismaied make
nor slacke her threatfull hand for daungers dout
but still with stedfast eye and courage stout
abode, to weet what end would come of all
at last that mightie chaine, which round about
her tender waste was wound, adowne gan fall
and that great brasen pillour broke in peeces small

the cruell steele, which thrild her dying hart
fell softly forth, as of his owne accord
and the wyde wound, which lately did dispart
her bleeding brest, and riuen bowels gor’d
was closed vp, as it had not bene bor’d
and euery part to safety full sound
as she were neuer hurt, was soone restor’d:
tho when she felt her selfe to be vnbound
and perfect hole, prostrate she fell vnto the ground

before faire britomart, she fell prostrate
saying, ah n0ble knight, what worthy meed
can wretched lady, quit from wofull state
yield you in liew of this your gratious deed?
your vertue selfe her owne reward shall breed
euen immortall praise, and glory wyde
which i your vassall, by your prowesse freed
shall through the world make to be notifyde
and goodly well aduance, that goodly well was tryde

but britomart vprearing her from ground
said, gentle dame, reward enough i weene
for many labours more, then i haue found
this, that in safety now i haue you seene
and meane of your deliuerance haue beene:
henceforth faire lady comfort to you take
and put away remembrance of late teene;
in stead thereof know, that your louing make
hath no lesse griefe endured for your gentle sake

she much was cheard to heare him mentiond
whom of all liuing wights she loued best
then laid the n0ble championesse strong hond
vpon th’enchaunter, which had her distrest
so sore, and with foule outrages opprest:
with that great chaine, wherewith not long ygo
he bound that pitteous lady prisoner, now relest
himselfe she bound, more worthy to be so
and captiue with her led to wretchednesse and wo

returning backe, those goodly roomes, which erst
she saw so rich and royally arayd
now vanisht vtterly, and cleane subuerst
she found, and all their glory quite decayd
that sight of such a chaunge her much dismayd
thence forth descending to that perlous porch
those dreadfull flames she also found delayd
and quenched quite, like a consumed torch
that erst all entrers won’t so cruelly to scorch

more easie issew now, then entrance late
she found: for now that fained dreadfull flame
which chokt the porch of that enchaunted gate
and passage bard to all, that thither came
was vanisht quite, as it were not the same
and gaue her leaue at pleasure forth to passe
th’enchaunter selfe, which all that fraud did frame
to haue efforst the loue of that faire lasse
seeing his worke now wasted deepe engrieued was

but when the victoresse arriued there
where late she left the pensife scudamore
with her owne trusty squire, both full of feare
neither of them she found where she them lore:
thereat her n0ble hart was stonisht sore;
but most faire amoret, whose gentle spright
now gan to feede on hope, which she before
conceiued had, to see her owne dear knight
being thereof beguyld was fild with new affright

but he sad man, when he had long in drede
awayted there for britomarts returne
yet saw her not nor signe of her good speed
his expectation to despaire did turne
misdeeming sure that her those flames did burne;
and therefore gan aduize with her old squire
who her deare nourslings losse no lesse did mourne
thence to depart for further aide t’enquire:
where let them wend at will, whilest here i doe respire

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