« But where then is,” quoth he halfe wrothfully, Nathlesse, for all his speach, the gentle knight “ Where is the bootie, which therefore I bought, Would not be tempted to such villenie, That cursed caytive, my strong enemy,

Regarding more his faith which he did plight, That recreant knight, whose hated life I sought? All were it to his mortall enemie, And where is eke your friend which balfe it ought?" | 1'hen to entrap him by false treacherie: “ He lyes,” said he, “ upon the cold bare ground, Great shame in lieges blood to be embrew'd ! Slayne of that errant knight with whom he fought; Thus whylest they were debating diverslie, Whom afterwards myselfe with many a wound The salvage forth out of the wood issew'd (vew'd. Did slay againe, as ye may see there in the stound." | Backe to the place, whereas his lord be sleeping Thereof false Turpin was full glad and faine, There when he saw those two so neare him stand, And needs with him streight to the place would ryde, He doubted much what mote their meaning bee; Where be bimselfe might see his foeman slaine ; And, throwing downe his load out of his hand, For else his feare could not be satisfyde.

(To weet, great store of forrest frute which hee. So, as they rode, he saw the way all dyde Had for his food late gathered from the tree) With streames of bloud; which tracting by the traile, Himselfe unto his weapon he betooke, Ere long they came, whenas in evill tyde

That was an oaken plant, which lately hee That other swayne, like ashes deadly pale, Rent by the root; which he so sternly shooke, Lay in the lap of death, rewing his wretched bale. That like an hazell wand it quivered and quooke. Much did the craven seeme to mone his case, Whereat the prince awaking, when he spyde That for his sake his deare life had forgone; The traytour Turpin with that other knight, And, him bewayling with affection base,

He started up; and snatching neare his syde
Did counterfeit kind pittje where was none : His trustie sword, the servant of his might,
For where's no courage, there's no ruth nor mone. Like a fell lyon leaped to him light,
Thence passing forth, not farre away he found And his left hand upon his collar layd.
Whereas the prince himselfe lay all alone, Therewith the cowhcard, deaded with affright,
Loosely displayd upon the grassie ground, (swound. Fell fiat to ground, ne word unto him sayd,
Possessed of sweete sleepe that luld him soft in But, holding up his hands, with silence mercieprayd.
Wearie of travell in his former fight,

But he so full of indignation was,
He there in shade himselfe had layd to rest, That to his prayer nought he would incline,
Having bis armes and warlike things undight, But, as he lay upon the humbled gras,
Fearelesse of foes that mote his peace molest; His foot he set on his vile necke, in signe
The whyles his salvage page, that wont be prest, Of servile yoke, that nobler harts repine.
Was wandred in the wood another way,

Then, letting him arise like abiect thrall,
To doe some thing, that seemed to him best ; He gan to him obiect his baynous crime,
The whyles his lord in silver slomber lay,

And to revile, and rate, and recreant call, Like to the evening starre adorn’d with deawy ray. And lastly to despoyle of knightly bannerall. Whom whenas Turpin saw so loosely layd, And after all, for greater infamie, He weened well that he indeed was dead,

He by the heeles him hung upon a tree, Like as that other knight to him had sayd :

And baffuld so, that all which passed by But, when he nigh approcht, he mote aread The picture of his punishment might see, Plaine signes in him of life and livelihead.

And by the like ensample warned bee, Whereat much griev'd against that straungerknight, However they through treason doe trespasse. That him too light of credence did mislead, But turne we now backe to that ladie free, He would have backe retyred from that sight,

Whom late we left ryding upon an asse,
That was to him on Earth the deadliest despigbt. Led by a carle and foole which by her side did passe.
But that same knight would not once let him start; She was a ladie of great dignitie,
But plainely gan to him declare the case

And lifted up to honorable place,
Of all his mischiefe and late lucklesse smart; Famous through all the land of Faërie:
How both he and his fellow there in place

Though of mcane parentage and Irindred base, Were vanquished, and put to foule disgrace; Yet deckt with wondrous giftes of Natures grace, And how that he, in lieu of life him lent,

That all men did her person much admire, Had vow'd unto the victor, him to trace

And praise the feature of her goodly face; And follow through the world whereso he went, The beames whereof did kindle lovely fire Till that he him delivered to his punishment. In th' harts of many a knight, and many a gentle

squire: He, therewith much abashed and affrayd, Began to tremble every limbe and vaine ;

But she thereof grew proud and insolent, And, softly whispering him, entyrely prayd That none she worthie thought to be her fere,

T advize him better then by such a traine But scornd them all that love unto her ment; Him to betray unto a straunger swaine :

Yet was she lov'd of many a worthy pere: Yet rather counseld him contrárywize,

Unworthy she to be belov'd so dere, Sith he likewise did wrong by him sustaine, That could not weigh of worthinesse aright : To joyne with him and vengeance to devize, For beautie is more glorious bright and clere, Whylest time did offer meanes him sleeping to sur. The more it is admir'd of many a wight, prize.

And noblest she that served is of poblest knight.

Aie me,

But this coy damzell thought contráriwize, The sonne of Venus, who is myld by kyndo
That such proud looks would make her praysed more; But where he is provokt with peevishnesse,
And that, the more she did all love despize, Unto her prayers piteously enclynd,
The more would wretched lovers her adore. And did the rigour of his doome represse;
What cared she who sighed for her sore,

Yet not so freely, but that nathëlesse
Or who did wayle or watch the wearie night? He unto her a penance did impose,
Let them that list their lucklesse lot deplore ; Which was, that through this worlds wyde wildernes
She was borne free, not bound to any wight, She wander should in companie of those,
And so would ever live, and love her own delight. Till she had sav'd so many loves as she did lose.
Through such her stubborne stifnesse and hard hart, So now she had bene wandring two whole yeares
Mauy a wretch for want of remedie

Throughout the world, in this uncomely case,
Did languish long in life-consuming smart, Wasting her goodly hew in heavie teares,
And at the last through dreary dolour die: And her good dayes in dolorous disgrace;
Whylest she, the ladie of her libertie,

Yet had she not in all these two yeares space
Did boast her beautie had such soveraine might, Saved but two; yet in two yeares before, (place,
That with the onely twinckle of her eye

Through her dispiteous pride, whilest love lackt
She could or save or spill whom she would hight: She had destroyed two and twenty more.

[fore ! What could the gods doe more, but doe it more how could her love make half amends therearight?

And now she was uppon the weary way,
But loe! the gods, that mortall follies vew, Whenas tbe gentle squire, with faire serene,
Did worthily revenge this maydens pride; Met her in such misseeming foule array ;
And, nought regarding her so goodly hew,

The whiles that mighty man did her demeane
Did laugh at her that many did deride,

With all the evil termes and cruell meane Whilest she did weepe, of no man mercifide : That he could make; and eeke that angry foole For on a day, when Cupid kept his court,

Which follow'd her, with cursed hands uncleane As he is wont at each Saint Valentide,

Whipping her horse, did with his smarting toole Unto the which all lovers doe resort, (report; Oft whip her dainty selfe, and much augment her That of their loves successe they there may make

doole. It fortun'd then, that when the roules were red, In which the names of all Loves folke were fyled,

Ne vught it mote availe her to entreat That many there were missing; which were ded,

The one or th' other better her to use ; Or ke in bands, or from their loves exyled,

For both so wilfull were and obstinate Or by some other violence despoyled.

That all her piteous plaint they did refuse, Which whenas Cupid heard, he wexed wroth;

And rather did the more her beate and bruse: And, doubting to be wronged or beguyled,

But most the former villaine, which did lead He bad his eyes to be unblindfold both,

Her tyreling iade, was bent her to abuse; That he might see his men, and muster them by oth.

Who, though she were with wearinesse nigh dead,

Yet would not let her lite, nor rest a little stead :
Then found he many missing of his crew,
Which wont doe suit and service to his might;

For he was sterne and terrible by nature,
Of whom what was becomen no man knew.

And ecke of person huge and hideous, Therefore a iurie was impaneld streight

Exceeding much the measure of mans stature, T'enquire of them, whether by force, or sleight,

And rather like a gyant monstruous : Or their owne guilt, they were away convayd :

For sooth he was descended of the hous To whom foule Infamie and fell Despight

Of those old gyants, which did warres darraine Gave evidence, that they were all betrayd

Against the Heaven in order battailous; And murdred cruelly by a rebellious mayd.

And sib to great Orgolio, which was slaine

By Arthure, whenas Unas knight he did maintaine.
Fayre Mirabella was her name, whereby
Of all those crymes she there indited was:

His lookes were dreadfull, and his fiery eies,
All which when Cupid heard, he by and by Like two great beacons, glared bright and wyde,
In great displeasure wild a capias

Glauncing askew, as if bis enemies
Should issue forth t'attach that scornefull lasse. He scorned in his overweening pryde;
The warrant straight was made, and therewithall And stalking stately, like a crane, did stryde
A baylieffe errant forth in post did passe,

At every step uppon the tiptoes hie;
Whom they by name there Portamore did call;

And, all the way he went, on every syde He which doth summon lovers to Loves iudgement He gaz'd about and stared horriblie, hall.

As if he with his lookes would all men terrifie.

The damzell was attacht, and shortly brought He wore no armour, ne for none did care,
Unto the barre whereas she was arrayned : As no wbit dreading any living wight;
But she there o nould plead, nor answere ought, But in a iacket, quilted richly rare
Even for stubborne pride, which ber restrayned: Upon checklaton, he was straungely dight;
So judgement past, as is by law ordayned

And on his bead a roll of linnen plight,
In cases like: which when at last she saw,

Like to the Mores of Malaber, he wore,
Her stubborne hart, which love before disdayned, With which his locks, as blacke as pitchy night,
Gan stoupe ; and, falling downe with humble awe, Were bound about and voyded from before ;
Cryde mercie, to abate the extremitie of law. And in his band a mighty yron club he bore.

This was Disdaine, who led that ladies horse
Through thick and thin, through mountains and
through plains,

CANTO VIII.
Compelling her, where she would not, by force,
Haling her palfrey by the hempen raines:

Prince Arthure overcomes Disdaine ;
But that saine foole, which most increast her paines,

Quites Mirabell from dreed : Was Scorne; who, having in his hand a whip,

Serena, found of salvages,
Her therewith yirks; and still, when she complaines,

By Calepine is freed.
The more he laughes, and does her closely quip,
To see her sore lament and bite her tender lip. Ye gentle ladies, in whose soveraine powre

Love hath the glory of his kingdome left, Whose cruell handling when that squire beheld, And th' hearts of men, as your eternall dowre, And saw those villaines her so vildely use,

In yron chaines, of liberty bereft, His gentle heart with indignation sweld,

Delivered hath unto your hands by gift ; And could no lenger beare so great abuse

Be well aware how ye the same doe use, As such a lady so to beate and bruse;

That pride doe not to tyranny you lift; But, to hjin stepping, such a stroke him lent, Least, if men you of cruelty accuse, That forst him th' halter from his hand to loose, He from you take that chiefedome which ye doe And, maugre all his might, backe to relent:

abuse. Else had he surely there bene slaine, or fowly shent.

And as ye soft and tender are by kynde, The villaine, wroth for greeting him so sore, Adornd with goodly gifts of beauties grace, Gathered himselfe together soone againe,

So be ye soft and tender eeke in mynde; And with his yron batton which he bore

But cruelty and hardnesse froin you chace, Let drive at him so dreadfully amaine,

That all your other praises will deface, That for his safety he did him constraine

And from you turne the love of men to hate : To give him ground, and shift to every side, Ensample take of Mirabellaes case, Rather than once his burden to sustaine:

Who from the high degree of happy state For bootlesse thing him seemed to abide (pride. Pell into wretched woes, which she repented late. So mighty blowes, or prove the puissaunce of his

Wbo after thraldome of the gentle squire, Like as a mastiffe having at a bay

Which she beheld with lamentable eye, A salvage bull, whose cruell hornes doe threat

Was touched with compassion entire, Desperate daunger, if he them assay,

And much lamented his calamity, Traceth his ground, and round about doth beat, That for her sake fell into misery; To spy where he may some advantage get, Which booted nought for prayers nor for threat The whiles the beast doth rage and loudly rore; To hope for to release or mollify; So did the squire, the whiles the carle did fret

For aye the more that she did them entreat, And fume in his disdainefull mynd the more, T'he more they him misust, and cruelly did beat. And oftentimes by Turmagant and Mahound swore. Nathelesse so sharpely still he him pursewd,

So as they forward on their way did pas, That at advantage him at last he tooke,

Him still reviling and afflicting sore, Whed his foote slipt, (that slip he dearely rewd)

They met prince Arthure with sir Enjas, And with his yron club to ground him strooke;

(That was that courteous knight, whom he before Where still he lay, ne out of swoune awooke,

Having subdew'd yet did to life restore ;) Till heavy hand the carle upon him layd,

To whom as they approcht, they gan augment And bound him fast: tho, when he up did looke

Their cruelty, and him to panish more, And saw himselfe captív'd, he was dismayd,

Scourging and haling him more vehement; Ne powre had to withstand, ne hope of any ayd.

As if it them should grieve to see his punishment. Then up he made him rise, and forward fare,

The squire himselfe, whenas he saw his lord Led in a rope which both his hands did bynd;

The witnesse of his wretchednesse in place, Ne ought that foole for pitty did him spare,

Was much asham'd that with an hempen cord But with his whip him following behynd

He like a dog was led in captive case, Him often scourg'd, and forst his feete to fynd:

And did his head for bashfulnesse abase, And otherwhiles with bitter mockes and mowes

As loth to see or to be seene at all; He would him scorne, that to his gentle mynd

Shame would be hid: but whenas Fnias Was much more grievous then the others blowes :

Bebeld two such, of two such villaines thrall, Words sharpely wound, but greatest griefe of scorn

His manly mynde was much emmoved therewithall; ing growes.

And to the prince thus sayd; “ See you, sir Knight, The faire Serena, when she saw him fall

The greatest shame that ever eye yet saw, Under that villaines club, then surely thought Yond lady and her squire with foule despight That slaine he was, or made a wretched thrall, Abusde, against all reason and all law, And fied away with all the speede she mought Without regard of pitty or of awe! To seeke for safety; which long time she sought; See! how they doe that squire beat and revile! And past through many perils by the way,

See! how they doe the lady hale and draw! Ere she againe to Calepine was brought:

But, if ye please to lend me leave awhile, The which discourse as now I must delay, I will them soone acquite, and both of blame as. TSR Mirabellaes fortunes I doe further say.

The prince assented ; and then he, streightway But yet the prince so well enured was Dismounting light, his shield about him threw, With such huge strokes, approved oft in fight, With which approaching thus he gan to say; That way to them he gave forth right to pas; “ Abide, ye caylive treachetours untrew,

Ne would endure the daunger of their might, That have with treason thralled unto you

But wayt advantage when they downe did light. These two, unworthy of your wretched bands; At last the caytive after long discourse, And now your crime with cruelty pursew : When all his strokes he saw avoyded quite, Abide, and from them lay your loathly hands; Resolved in one t'assemble all his force, Or else abide the death that hard before you stands." And make one end of him without ruth or remorse. The villaine stayd not aunswer to inrent; His dreadfull hand he heaved up aloft, But, with his yroo club preparing way,

And with his dreadfull instrument of yre His mindes sad message backe unto him sent; Thought sure have pownded him to powder soft, The which descended with such dreadfull sway, Or deepe emboweld in the earth entyre; That seemed nought the course thereof could stay, But Fortune did not with his will conspire: No more then lightening from the lofty sky: For, ere his stroke attayner bis intent, Ne list the knight the powre thereof assay, The noble childe, preventing his desire, Whose doome was death ; but, lightly slipping by, Under his club with wary boldnesse went, Unwares defrauded his intended destiny:

And smote him on the knee that never yet was bent. And, to requite bim with the like againe,

It never yet was bent, ne bent it now, With his sharpe sword he fiercely at him flew, Albe the stroke so strong and puissant were, And strooke so strongly, that the carle with paine That seem'd a marble pillour it could bow; Saved himselfe but that he there him slew; But all that leg, which did his body beare, Yet sav'd not so, but that the blood it drew, It crackt throughout, (yet did no bloud appeare) And gave his foe good hope of victory :

So as it was unable to support Who, therewith flesht, upon him set apew,

So huge a burden on such broken geare, And with the second stroke thought certainely But fell to ground like to a lumpe of durt; To have supplyde the first, and paide the usury. Whence he assayed to rise, but could not for his hurt. But Fortune aunswered not unto his call; Eftsoones the prince to him full nimbly stept, For, as his hand was heaved up on hight,

And, least he should recover foote againe, The villaine met him in the middle fall,

His head meant from his shoulders to have swept : And with his club bet backe his brond-yron bright which when the lady saw, she cryde amaine ; Su forcibly, that with his owne hands might

Stay, stay, sir Knight, for love of God abstaine Rebeaten backe upon himselfe againe

From that unwares ye weetlesse due intend; He driven was to ground in selfe despight; Slay not that carle, though worthy to be slaine ; From whence ere he recovery could gaine,

For more on him dotb then himselfe depend; He in his necke had set his foote with fell disdaine. My life will by his death have lamentable end." With that the foole, which did that end awayte, He staide his hand according her desire, Came running in; and, whilest on ground he lay, Yet nathëmore him suffred to arize; Laide heavy hands on him and held so strayte, But, still suppressing, gan of her inquire, That downe he kept him with his scornefull sway, What meaning mote those uncouth words comprize, So as he could not weld him any way:

That in that villaines health her safety lies ; The whiles that other villaine went about

That were no might in man, nor heart in knights, Him to have bound and thrald without delay; Which durst her dreaded reskue enterprize, The wbiles the foole did him revile and nout, Yet Heavens themselves, that favour feeble rights, Threatning to yoke them two and tame their cor- Would for itselfe redresse, and punish such desage stout.

pights.

As when a sturdy ploughman with his hynde Then bursting forth in teares, which gushed fast
By strength have overthrowna stubborne steare, Like many water-streams, awhile she stayd;
They downe him hold, and fast with cords do bynde, Till the sharpe passion being overpast,
Till they him force the buxomne yoke to beare : Her tongue to her restord, then thus she sayd ;
So did these two this knight oft tug and teare. "Nor Heavens, nor men, can me most wretched mayd
Which when the prince beheld, there standing by, Deliver from the doome of my desart,
He left his lofty steede to aide him neare; The which the god of love hath on me layd,
And, buckling soone bimselfe, gan fiercely fly And damned to endure this direfull smart,
Upon that carle, to save his friend from ieopardy. For penaunce of my proud and hard rebellious hart.
The villaine, leaving him unto his mate

" In prime of youthly yeares, when first the flowre To be captívd and bandled as he list,

Of beauty gan to bud, and bloosme delight; Himselfe addrest unto this new debate,

And Nature me endu'd with plenteous dowre And with his club him all about so blist,

Of all her gifts, that pleasde each living sight; That he which way to turne bim scarcely wist: I was belov'd of many a gentle knight, Sometimes aloft he layd, sometinies alow, And sude and svught with all the service dew: Now here, now there, and oft bim neare he mist; Full many a one for me deepe groand and sight, So doubtfully, that hardly one could know And to the dore of death for sorrow drew, Whether more wary were to give or ward the blow. Complayning out on me that would not on them rew. “ But let them love that list, or live or die; Meane while the salvage man, when he beheld Me list not die for any lovers doole:

That huge great foole oppressing th' other knight, Ne list me leave my loved libertie

Whom with his weight unweldy downe he beld, To pitty him that list to play the foole :

He flew upon him like a greedy kight To love myself I learned had in schoole.

Unto some carrion offered to bis sight; Thus I triumphed long in lovers paine,

And, downe bim plucking, with his nayles and teeth And, sitting carelesse on the scorners stoole, Gan bim to hale, and teare, and scratch, and bite; Did laugh at those that did lament and plaine : And, from him taking his owne whip, therewith But all is now repayd with interest againe. So sore him scourgeth that the bloud downe followeth. “ For loe ! the winged god, that woundeth harts, And sure I weene, had not the ladies cry Causde me be called to accompt therefore; Procurd the prince his cruell hand to stay, And for revengement of those wrongfull smarts, He would with whipping him have done to dye: Which I to others did inflict afore,

But, being checkt, he did abstaine streightway Addeem'd me to endure this penaunce sore; And let him rise. Then thus the prince gap say 5 That in this wize, and this unmeete array, “ Now, lady, sith your fortunes thus dispose, With these two lewd companions, and no more, That, if ye list have liberty, ye may ; Disdaine and Scorne,I through the world shouldstray, Unto yourselfe I freely leave to chose, [lose.” Till I have sav'd so many as I earst did slay.” Whether I shall you leave, or from these villaines “ Certes," sayd then the prince, “the god is just, “ Ah! nay, sir Knight," said she, “it may not be That taketh vengeaunce of his peoples spoile: But that I needes must by all meanes fulfill For were no law in love, but all that lust

This penaunce, which enioyned is to me, Might them oppresse, and painefully turmoile, Least unto me betide a greater ill: His kingdome would continue but a while. Yet no lesse thankes to you for your good will." But tell me, lady, wherefore doe you beare So humbly taking leave she turnd aside: This bottle thus before you with such toile, But Arthure with the rest went onward still And eeke this wallet at your backe arreare, On his first quest, in which did bim betide That for these carles to carry much more comely A great adventure, wbich did him from them devide were »

But first it falleth me by course to tell “ Here in this bottle,” sayd the sory mayd,

Of faire Serena; wbo, as earst you heard, " I put the tears of my contrition,

When first the gentle squire at variaunce fell Till to the brim I have it full defrayd:

With those two carles, fed fast away, afeard And in this bag, which I behinde me don,

Of villany to be to her inferd: I put repentaunce for things past and gon.

So fresh the image of her former dread, Yet is the bottle leake, and bag so torne,

Yet dwelling in her eye, to her appeard, That all which I put in fals out anon,

That erery foote did tremble which did tread, And is behinde me trodden downe of Scorne,

And every body two, and tuo she foure did read. Who mocketh all my paine, and laughs the more I mourn."

Through hils and dales, through bushes and through The infant hearkned wisely to her tale,

breres, And wondred much at Cupids judgment wise,

Long thus she fled, till that at last she thought That could so meekly make proud hearts avale,

Herselfe now past the perill of her feares : And wreake himselfe on them that him despise.

Then looking round about, and seeing nought Then suffred he Disdaine up to arise,

Which doubt of daunger to her offer mought, Who was not able up himselfe to reare,

She from her palfrey lighted on the plaine ; By meanes his leg, through his late lucklesse prise, of her long travell and turmoyling paine ;

And, sitting downe, herselfe awhile bethought Was crackt in twaine, but by his foolish feare Was holpen up, who him supported standing neare. And often did of love, and oft of lucke, complaine. But being up he lookt againe aloft,

And evermore she blamed Calepine, As if he never had received fall;

The good sir Calepine, her owne true knight, And with stere eye-brows stared at him oft,

As th' onely author of her wofull tine; As if he would have daunted him withall :

Por being of his love to her so light, And standing on his tiptoes, to seeme tall,

As her to leave in such a piteous plight: Downe on his golden feete he often gazed,

Yet never turtle truer to his make, As if such pride the other could apall;

Then he was tride unto his lady bright: Who was so far from being ought amazed,

Who all this while endured for her sake That he his lookes despised, and his boast dispraized. Great perill of his life, and restlesse paines did take. Then turning backe unto that captive thrall, Tho whenas all her plaints she had display, Who all this while stood there beside them bound, and well disburdened her engrieved brest, Unwilling to be knowne or seene at all,

Upon the grasse herselfe adowpe she layd; He from those bands weend him to have unwound; Where, being tyrde with travell, and opprest But when approaching neare he plainely found With sorrow, she betooke herselfe to rest : It was his owne trge groome, the gentle squire, There whilest in Morpheus bosome safe she lay, He thereat wext exceedingly astound,

Pearelesse of ought that mote her peace molest, And him did oft embrace, and oft admire,

False Fortune did her safëty betray Ne could with seeing satisfie his great desire. Unto a strangeinischaunce, that menac'd her decay.