Bloud is no blemish; for it is no blame To punish those that doe deserve the same; And wicked customes make, those doe defame XXVII. "Then doe yourselfe, for dread of shame, forgoe "Vile recreant! know that I doe much disdaine Thy courteous lore,2 that doest my Love deride, Who scornes thy ydle scoffe, and bids thee be defyde.” XXVIII. "To take defiaunce at a Ladies word," Quoth he, "I hold it no indignity; But were he here, that would it with his sword Abett,3 perhaps he mote it deare aby.4" "Cowherd," quoth she, "were not that thou wouldst fly Ere he doe come, he should be soone in place." "If I doe so," sayd he, "then liberty I leave to you for aye me to disgrace With all those shames, that erst5 ye spake me to deface." XXIX. With that a Dwarfe she cald to her in hast, And taking from her hand a ring of gould 1 Then, than. 3 Abett, maintain. Erst, before. 2 Lore, lesson, advice. Aby, abide. Bad him to flie with all the speed he could Who through strong powre had now herself in hould, Having late slaine her Seneschall in fight, And all her people murdred with outragious might: XXX. The Dwarfe his way did hast, and went all night: But Calidore did with her there abyde The comming of that so much threatned Knight; Where that discourteous Dame with scornfull pryde And fowle entreaty him indignifyde,1 That yron heart it hardly could sustaine: Yet he, that could his wrath full wisely guyde, XXXI. The morrow next, before the lampe of light The Dwarfe, which bore that message to her Knight, He would her succour, and alive or dead Her foe deliver up into her hand: Therefore he wil'd her doe away all dread; And, that of him she mote assured stand, He sent to her his basenet 2 as a faithfull band. XXXII. Thereof full blyth the Lady streight became, 1 Indignifyde, treated with indignity. 2 Basenet, helmet. XXXI. 9.-As a faithfull band.] As a pledge of protection. Yet no whit more appalled for the same, But rather did more chearefull seeme therefore: Where long he stayed not, whenas a Knight He spide come pricking on with all his powre and might. XXXIII. Well weend he streight that he should be the same But coucht his speare, and ran at him amaine. That neither could the others stroke sustaine, XXXIV. But Calidore up rose againe full light, There where she stood uppon the Castle wall, That from the battlements she ready seem'd to fall. 1 Dight, disposed. 2 Amaine, with violence. 3 Sound, swoon. 4 Drery stound, sad affliction. XXXIII. 5. They bene ymett in middest of the plaine.] They met in the middle of the plain. XXXV. Nathlesse at length himselfe he did upreare But, when he saw his foe before in vew, He shooke off luskishnesse 2; and, courage chill To prove if better foote then 3 horsebacke would ensew. XXXVI. There then began a fearefull cruell fray XXXVII. Thus long they trac'd and traverst to and fro, They hew'd their helmes, and plates asunder brake, As they had potshares bene; for nought mote slake Their greedy vengeaunces but goary blood; 1 Lustlesse, listless. 2 Luskishnesse, sluggishness. 3 Then, than. 4 Practicke, skilful. 5 Ruth, pity. • Potshares, potsherds, fragments of a broken vessel. XXXVI. 2.-Maystery of might.] Superiority in prowess. That at the last like to a purple lake Of bloudy gore congeal'd about them stood, Which from their riven sides forth gushed like a flood. XXXVIII. At length it chaunst that both their hands on hie And prove the finall fortune of the fight; Prevented him before his stroke could light, That made him stoupe to ground with meeke humilitie: XXXIX. And, ere he could recover foote againe, He following that faire advantage fast His stroke redoubled with such might and maine, That him upon the ground he groveling cast; And leaping to him light would have unlast 4 His helme, to make unto his vengeance way: Who, seeing in what daunger he was plast, Cryde out; "Ah mercie, Sir! doe me not slay, But save my life, which lot 5 before your foot doth lay." XL. With that his mortall hand awhile he stayd; And, having somewhat calm'd his wrathfull heat With goodly patience, thus he to him sayd ; "And is the boast of that proud Ladies threat, That menaced me from the field to beat, Now brought to this? By this now may ye learne 'Then, than. 2 Prevented, anticipated. 3 Formerlic, beforehand. 5 Lot, fate. |