Complete Works of Edmund Spenser

by Edmund Spenser

  Dew’d with her drops of bounties soveraine,

  Which from that goodly glorious flowre proceed,

  Sprung of the auncient stocke of princes straine, 295

  Now th’ onely remnant of that royall breed,

  Whose noble kind at first was sure of heavenly seed.

  XXXIV

  Tho, soone as day discovered heavens face

  To sinfull men with darknes overdight,

  This gentle crew gan from their eye-lids chace 300

  The drowzie humour of the dampish night,

  And did themselves unto their journey dight.

  So forth they yode, and forward softly paced,

  That them to view had bene an uncouth sight,

  How all the way the Prince on footpace traced, 305

  The ladies both on horse, together fast embraced.

  XXXV

  Soone as they thence departed were afore,

  That shamefull hag, the slaunder of her sexe,

  Them follow’d fast, and them reviled sore,

  Him calling theefe, them whores; that much did vexe 310

  His noble hart: thereto she did annexe

  False crimes and facts, such as they never 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. 315

  XXXVI

  At last, when they were passed out of sight,

  Yet she did not her spightful speach forbeare,

  But after them did barke, and still back-bite,

  Though there were none her hatefull words to heare:

  Like as a curre doth felly bite and teare 320

  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.

  XXXVII

  They, passing forth, kept on their readie way, 325

  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 heavie armes, which sore annoyd

  The Prince on foot, not wonted so to fare; 330

  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.

  XXXVIII

  At length they spide where towards them with speed

  A squire came gallopping, as he would flie, 335

  Bearing a little 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 upon a dromedare on hie, 340

  Of stature huge, and horrible of hew,

  That would have maz’d a man his dreadfull face to vew.

  XXXIX

  For from his fearefull eyes two fierie beames,

  More sharpe then points of needles, did proceede,

  Shooting forth farre away two flaming streames, 345

  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 convay 350

  Into the lookers hart, and killeth farre away.

  XL

  He all the way did rage at that same squire,

  And after him full many threatnings threw,

  With curses vaine in his avengefull ire:

  But none of them (so fast away he flew) 355

  Him overtooke 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. 360

  XLI

  Eftsoones the Prince tooke downe those ladies twaine

  From loftie steede, and mounting in their stead,

  Came to that squire, yet trembling every vaine:

  Of whom he gan enquire his cause of dread:

  Who as he gan the same to him aread, 365

  Loe! hard behind his backe his foe was prest,

  With dreadfull weapon aymed at his head,

  That unto death had doen him unredrest,

  Had not the noble Prince his readie stroke represt.

  XLII

  Who, thrusting boldly twixt him and the blow, 370

  The burden of the deadly brunt did beare

  Upon his shield, which lightly he did throw

  Over his head, before the harme came neare.

  Nathlesse it fell with so despiteous dreare

  And heavie sway, that hard unto his crowne 375

  The shield it drove, and did the covering reare:

  Therewith both squire and dwarfe did tomble downe

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

  XLIII

  Whereat the Prince full wrath, his strong right hand

  In full avengement heaved up on hie, 380

  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, 385

  It would have cleft him to the girding place;

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

  XLIV

  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. 390

  With that his murdrous mace he up 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, 395

  Did shun the proofe thereof and it avoyded light.

  XLV

  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 400

  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. 405

  XLVI

  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. 410

  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.

  XLVII

  ‘This mightie man,’ quoth he, ‘whom you have slaine, 415

  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, 420

  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.

  XLVIII

  ‘Ne was he ever vanquished afo
re,

  But ever vanquisht all with whom he fought; 425

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

  Ne woman yet so faire, but he her brought

  Unto his bay, and captived her thought.

  For most of strength and beautie his desire

  Was spoyle to make, and wast them unto nought, 430

  By casting secret flakes of lustfull fire

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

  XLIX

  ‘Therefore Corflambo was he cald aright,

  Though namelesse there his bodie now doth lie;

  Yet hath he left one daughter that is hight 435

  The faire Pœana; who seemes outwardly

  So faire as ever yet saw living eie:

  And were her vertue like her beautie bright,

  She were as faire as any under skie.

  But ah! she given is to vaine delight, 440

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

  L

  ‘So as it fell, there was a gentle squire,

  That lov’d a ladie of high parentage;

  But for his meane degree might not aspire

  To match so high, her friends with counsell sage 445

  Dissuaded her from such a disparage.

  But she, whose hart to love was wholly lent,

  Out of his hands could not redeeme her gage,

  But firmely following her first intent,

  Resolv’d with him to wend, gainst all her friends consent. 450

  LI

  ‘So twixt themselves they pointed time and place,

  To which when he according did repaire,

  An hard mishap and disaventrous case

  Him chaunst; in stead of his Æmylia faire,

  This gyants sonne, that lies there on the laire 455

  An headlesse heape, him unawares there caught,

  And, all dismayd through mercilesse despaire,

  Him wretched thrall unto his dongeon brought,

  Where he remaines, of all unsuccour’d and unsought.

  LII

  ‘This gyants daughter came upon a day 460

  Unto the prison in her joyous glee,

  To view the thrals which there in bondage lay:

  Amongst the rest she chaunced there to see

  This lovely swaine, the squire of low degree;

  To whom she did her liking lightly cast, 465

  And wooed him her paramour to bee:

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

  And for his love him promist libertie at last.

  LIII

  ‘He, though affide unto a former love,

  To whom his faith he firmely ment to hold, 470

  Yet seeing not how thence he mote remove,

  But by that meanes which fortune did unfold,

  Her graunted love, but with affection cold,

  To win her grace his libertie to get.

  Yet she him still detaines in captive hold, 475

  Fearing least, if she should him freely set,

  He would her shortly leave, and former love forget.

  LIV

  ‘Yet so much favour she to him hath hight

  Above the rest, that he sometimes may space

  And walke about her gardens of delight, 480

  Having a keeper still with him in place;

  Which keeper is this dwarfe, her dearling base,

  To whom the keyes of every prison dore

  By her committed be, of speciall grace,

  And at his will may whom he list restore, 485

  And whom he list reserve, to be afflicted more.

  LV

  ‘Whereof when tydings came unto mine eare,

  Full inly sorie, for the fervent zeale

  Which I to him as to my soule did beare,

  I thether went; where I did long conceale 490

  My selfe, till that the dwarfe did me reveale,

  And told his dame her squire of low degree

  Did secretly out of her prison steale;

  For me he did mistake that squire to bee;

  For never two so like did living creature see. 495

  LVI

  ‘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 untrew,

  To seeke by flight her fellowship t’ eschew, 500

  That lov’d me deare, as dearest thing alive.

  Thence she commaunded me to prison new;

  Whereof I glad did not gainesay nor strive,

  But suffred that same dwarfe me to her dongeon drive.

  LVII

  ‘There did I finde mine onely faithfull frend 505

  In heavy plight and sad perplexitie;

  Whereof I sorie, yet my selfe did bend

  Him to recomfort with my companie.

  But him the more agreev’d I found thereby:

  For all his joy, he said, in that distresse, 510

  Was mine and his Æmylias libertie.

  Æmylia well he lov’d, as I mote ghesse;

  Yet greater love to me then her he did professe.

  LVIII

  ‘But I with better reason him aviz’d,

  And shew’d him how, through error and mis-thought 515

  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, 520

  Till Fortune did perforce it so decree.

  Yet, overrul’d at last, he did to me agree.

  LIX

  ‘The morrow next, about the wonted howre,

  The dwarfe cald at the doore of Amyas,

  To come forthwith unto his ladies bowre. 525

  In steed of whom forth came I, Placidas,

  And undiscerned forth with him did pas.

  There with great joyance and with gladsome glee

  Of faire Pœana I received was,

  And oft imbrast, as if that I were hee, 530

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

  LX

  ‘Which I, that was not bent to former love,

  As was my friend, that had her long refusd,

  Did well accept, as well it did behove,

  And to the present neede it wisely usd. 535

  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 love and life did stake. 540

  LXI

  ‘Thenceforth I found more favour at her hand,

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

  She bad to lighten my too heavie band,

  And graunt more scope to me to walke at large.

  So on a day, as by the flowrie marge 545

  Of a fresh streame I with that elfe did play,

  Finding no meanes how I might us enlarge,

  But if that dwarfe I could with me convay,

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

  LXII

  ‘Thereat he shriekt aloud, that with his cry 550

  The tyrant selfe came forth with yelling bray,

  And me pursew’d; but nathemore would I

  Forgoe the purchase of my gotten pray,

  But have perforce him hether brought away.’

  Thus as they talked, loe! where nigh at hand 555

  Those ladies two, yet doubtfull through dismay,

  In presence came, desirous t’ understand

  Tydings of all which there had hapned on the land.

  LXIII

  Where soone as sad Æmylia did espie

  Her captive lovers friend, young Placidas,
560

  All mindlesse of her wonted modestie,

  She to him ran, and him with streight embras

  Enfolding said: ‘And lives yet Amyas?’

  ‘He lives,’ quoth he, ‘and his Æmylia loves.’

  ‘Then lesse,’ said she, ‘by all the woe I pas, 565

  With which my weaker patience Fortune proves.

  But what mishap thus long him fro my selfe removes?’

  LXIV

  Then gan he all this storie to renew,

  And tell the course of his captivitie;

  That her deare hart full deepely made to rew, 570

  And sigh full sore, to heare the miserie,

  In which so long he mercilesse did lie.

  Then, after many teares and sorrowes spent,

  She deare besought the Prince of remedie:

  Who thereto did with readie will consent, 575

  And well perform’d, as shall appeare by his event.

  Faerie Queene Detailed Table of Contents

  Glossary for ‘The Faerie Queene’

  Canto IX

  The squire of low degree, releast,

  Pœana takes to wife:

  Britomart fightes with many knights;

  Prince Arthur stints their strife.

  I

  HARD is the doubt, and difficult to deeme,

  When all three kinds of love together meet,

  And doe dispart the hart with powre extreme,

  Whether shall weigh the balance downe; to weet,

  The deare affection unto kindred sweet, 5

  Or raging fire of love to woman kind,

  Or zeale of friends combynd with vertues meet.

  But of them all, the band of vertuous mind,

  Me seemes, the gentle hart should most assured bind.

  II

  For naturall affection soone doth cesse, 10

  And quenched is with Cupids greater flame:

  But faithfull friendship doth them both suppresse,

  And them with maystring discipline doth tame,

  Through thoughts aspyring to eternall fame.

  For as the soule doth rule the earthly masse, 15

  And all the service of the bodie frame,

  So love of soule doth love of bodie passe,

  No lesse then perfect gold surmounts the meanest brasse.

  III

  All which who list by tryall to assay,

  Shall in this storie find approved plaine; 20

  In which these squires true friendship more did sway,

  Then either care of parents could refraine,

  Or love of fairest ladie could constraine.

  For though Pœana were as faire as morne,

  Yet did this trustie squire with proud disdaine 25

  For his friends sake her offred favours scorne,

  And she her selfe her syre, of whom she was yborne.

  IV

  Now after that Prince Arthur graunted had

  To yeeld strong succour to that gentle swayne,