CANTO VIII. Prince Arthure overcomes Disdaine ; Quites Mirabell from dreed: By Calepine is freed. I. Least, if men you of cruelty accuse, II. Who from the high degree of happy state | Least, lest. ? Kynde, nature. 1 III. the more that she did them entreat, The more they him misust, and cruelly did beat. IV. did pas, Him still reviling and afflicting sore, They met Prince Arthure with Sir Enias, (That was that courteous Knight, whom he before Having subdew'd yet did to life restore ;) To whom as they approcht, they gan augment Their cruelty, and him to punish more, Scourging and haling him more vehement; V. 2 | Entire, earnest. ? Abase, hang down. IV.4. — That was that courteous Knight, &c.] See the twelfth stanza of the preceding canto. Beheld two such, of two such Villaines thrall, His manly mynde was much emmoved therewithall; VI. And to the Prince thus sayd; “See you, Sir Knight, The greatest shame that ever eye yet saw, Yond Lady and her Squire with foule despight Abusde, against all reason and all law, Without regard of pitty or of awe! See! how they doe that Squire beat and revile ! See! how they doe the Lady hale and draw! But, if ye please to lend me leave awhile, VII. Abide, and from them lay your loathly hands; you stands." VIII. The Villaine stayd not aunswer to invent 5 ; But, with his yron club preparing way, His mindes sad message backe unto him sent; The which descended with such dreadfull sway, That seemed nought the course thereof could stay, 3 1 Yond, yonder. ? Acquite, rescue. Abide, stop. 4 Treachelours, traitors. 6 Indent, find. VI. 9.— Both of blame assoile.] Free both from their present disgraceful situation. No more then lightening from the lofty sky: Whose doome was death; but, lightly slipping by, Unwares defrauded his intended destiny: IX And, to requite him with the like againe, With his sharpe sword he fiercely at him flew, And strooke so strongly, that the Carle with paine Saved himselfe but that he there him slew ; Yet sav'd not so, but that the blood it drew, And gave his Foe good hope of victory: Who, therewith flesht, upon him set anew, And with the second stroke thought certainely X. From whence ere he recovery could gaine, , XI. With that the Foole, which did that end awayte, , | Then, than. ? Flesht, flushed. 3 Weld, manage, direct. corage stout. Him to have bound and thrald without delay; The whiles the Foole did him revile and flout, Threatning to yoke them two and tame their XII. As when a sturdy ploughman with his hynde? By strength have overthrowne a stubborne steare, They downe him hold, and fast with cords do bynde, Till they him force the buxome 3 yoke to beare: So did these two this Knight oft tug and teare. Which when the Prince beheld, there standing by, He left his lofty steede to aide him neare; And, buckling soone himselfe, gan fiercely ily XIII. So doubtfully, that hardly one could know XIV. 5 was | Flout, insult. 2 Hynde, servant. 3 Buxome, obedient, or yielding. 4 Debate, contest. • Blist, (blesser, Fr.,) wounded, struck. 6 Wist, knew. ? Whether, which of the two. * Enured, accustomed. XI. 9. Them two.] Sir Enias and Timias. 12 VOL. IV. |