Ne would endure the daunger of their might, And make one end of him without ruth 2 or remorse. His dreadfull hand he heaved up aloft, Thought sure have pownded him to powder soft, Under his club with wary boldnesse went, And smote him on the knee that never yet was bent. XVI. It never yet was bent, ne bent it now, Albe1 the stroke so strong and puissant were, That seem'd a marble pillour it could bow; So huge a burden on such broken geare,5 But fell to ground like to a lumpe of durt; Whence he assayed to rise, but could not for his hurt. XVII. Eftsoones the Prince to him full nimbly stept, 1 Discourse, (discursus, Lat.,) shifting, traversing. 2 Ruth, pity. His head meant from his shoulders to have swept: 66 Stay, stay, Sir Knight, for love of God abstaine From that unwares ye weetlesse2 doe intend; Slay not that Carle, though worthy to be slaine; For more on him doth then 3 himselfe depend; My life will by his death have lamentable end." XVIII. He staide his hand according her desire, What meaning mote those uncouth 6 words comprize, That were no might in man, nor heart in Knights, Yet heavens themselves, that favour feeble rights, XIX. Then bursting forth in teares, which gushed fast Till the sharpe passion being overpast, Her tongue to her restord, then thus she sayd; "Nor heavens, nor men, can me most wretched Mayd Deliver from the doome of my desart, The which the god of Love hath on me layd, And damned to endure this direfull smart, For penaunce of my proud and hard rebellious hart. Amaine, aloud. 2 Weetlesse, unknowing. ▲ Nathëmore, none the more. 5 Suppressing, keeping under. 6 Uncouth, strange. XVIII. 6.- That, &c.] Her safety. The heavens themselves would redress or provide for her safety, were there no might in man, &c. XX. "In prime of youthly yeares, when first the flowre And sude1 and sought with all the service dew: Full many a one for me deepe groand and sigh't, And to the dore of death for sorrow drew, Complayning out on me that would not on them rew.2 XXI. "But let them love that list, or live or die; Me list not die for any lovers doole 3: To pitty him that list to play the foole: XXII. "For loe! the winged god, that woundeth harts, Addeem'd me to endure this penaunce sore; With these two lewd 5 companions, and no more, Disdaine and Scorne, I through the world should stray, Till I have sav'd so many as I earst did slay." 6 1 Sude, sued, wooed. ▲ Addeem'd, adjudged. 2 Rew, pity. 3 Doole, grief. 5 Lewd, evil, base. 6 Earst, before. XXIII. "Certes," sayd then the Prince, "the god is iust, That for these Carles to carry much more comely were?' XXIV. "Here in this bottle," sayd the sory Mayd, Till to the brim I have it full defrayd: And is behinde me trodden downe of Scorne, XXV. The Infant hearkned wisely to her tale, And wondred much at Cupid's iudg'ment wise, 1 Certes, certainly. 3 Arreare, behind. 4 Don, do on, put on. 5 Leake, leaky. 7 Avale, bow down. XXIV. 3. Till to the brim I have it full defrayd.] Till I have discharged my duty by filling it to the brim. Who was not able up himselfe to reare, By meanes his leg, through his late lucklesse prise,2 Was crackt in twaine, but by his foolish feare 3 Was holpen up, who him supported standing neare. XXVI. But being up he lookt againe aloft, And with sterne eye-brows stared at him oft, That he his lookes despised, and his boast dispraized.1 XXVII. Then turning backe unto that captive thrall, He from those bands weend him to have unwound; And him did oft embrace, and oft admire,5 Ne could with seeing satisfie his great desire. XXVIII. Meane while the Salvage Man, when he beheld That huge great Foole oppressing th' other Knight, 1 By meanes, because. 2 Prise, adventure. Dispraized, disparaged. 3 Feare, companion. Admire, wonder. |