The outrage of his furious fit relented. Such musicke is wise words with time concented.1 To moderate stiffe mindes disposd to strive: Such as that prudent Romane2 well invented, What time his people into partes did rive, Them reconcyld againe, and to their homes did drive. 8 Such us'd wise Glaucè to that wrathfull Knight, 8 That by themselves unto themselves is wrought, Through that false witch, and that foule aged drevill1; The one a feend, the other an incarnate devill. 4 With whom as they thus rode accompanide, To whom he made great dalliance and delight: 1 Concented, made harmonious, spoken seasonably 2 I. e. Menenius Agrippa. 8 Warelesse, unaware. 4 Drevill, driveller (Até). IV. 6. He that from Braggadocchio, &c.] See Book III Canto VIII 15. Made him seeme happie for so glorious theft; Yet was it in due triall but a wandring weft.1 Which whenas Blandamour, whose fancie light Was alwaies flitting as the wavering wind After each beautie that appeard in sight, Beheld, eftsoones it prickt his wanton mind With sting of lust that reasons eye did blind, That to Sir Paridell these words he sent : "Sir Knight, why ride ye dumpish thus behind, Since so good fortune doth to you present So fayre a spoyle, to make you ioyous meriment?" 6 But Paridell, that had too late a tryall Of the bad issue of his counsell vaine, List not to hearke, but made this faire denyall: "Last turne was mine, well proved to my paine; This now be yours; God send you better gaine!" Whose scoffed words he taking halfe in scorne, Fiercely forth prickt his steed as in disdaine Against that knight, ere he him well could torne; By meanes whereof he hath him lightly 2 overborne. 7 Who, with the sudden stroke astonisht sore, Upon the ground awhile in slomber lay; The whiles his Love away the other bore, And, shewing her, did Paridell upbray : "Lo! sluggish knight, the victors happie pray! So fortune friends the bold." Whom Paridell Weft, waif, i. e. (here) a thing not worth claiming. 2 Lightly, easily. Seeing so faire indeede, as he did say, His hart with secret envie gan to swell, And inly grudge at him that he had sped so well. 8 Nathlesse proud man himselfe the other deemed, Having so peerelesse paragon1 ygot: For sure the fayrest Florimell him seemed Whose like alive on earth he weened not: And all things did devise, and all things dooe, That might her love prepare, and liking win theretoo. 9 She, in regard thereof, him recompenst With golden words and goodly countenance, And such fond favours sparingly dispenst: Sometimes him blessing with a light eye-glance, And coy lookes tempring with loose dalliance; Sometimes estranging him in sterner wise; That, having cast him in a foolish trance, He seemed brought to bed in Paradise, And prov'd himselfe most foole in what he seem'd most wise. 10 So great a mistresse of her art she was, 1 Paragon, companion. 2 Pas, surpass. 8 Draft, attraction. Yet now he was surpriz'd: for that false spright, Which that same Witch had in this forme engraft,' Was so expert in every subtile slight, That it could overreach the wisest earthly wight. 11 Yet he to her did dayly service more, To stirre up strife twixt love and spight and ire, Did privily put coles unto his secret fire. 12 By sundry meanes thereto she prickt him forth; She it revives, and new occasion reaches: He made him open chalenge, and thus boldly sayd: .3 "Too boastfull Blandamour! too long I beare The open wrongs thou doest me day by day: sweare, The covenant was, that every spoyle or pray 1 Engraft, engrafted 2 Way'd, journey ed. Should equally be shard betwixt us tway: Where is my part, then, of this ladie bright, Whom to thyselfe thou takest quite away ? Render therefore therein to me my right, Or answere for thy wrong as shall fall out in fight." 14 Exceeding wroth thereat was Blandamour, And gan this bitter answere to him make: "Too foolish Paridell! that fayrest floure Wouldst gather faine, and yet no paines wouldst take. But not so easie will I her forsake; This hand her wonne, this hand shall her defend." With that they gan their shivering1speares to shake, And deadly points at eithers breast to bend, Forgetfull each to have bene ever others frend. Their firie steedes with so untamed forse Did beare them both to fell avenges end, That with the furie of their owne affret3 Each other horse and man to ground did send; The perilous present stownd in which their lives were set. 6 As when two warlike brigandines at sea, With murdrous weapons arm'd to cruell fight, 1 Shivering, quivering. 2 Haberieon, coat of mail. 8 Affret, encounter. 4 Stown, situation. |