"What be you, wofull dame, which thus lament, And for what cause, declare; so mote ye not repent." XXVIII. To whom she thus; "What need me, Sir, to tell "Nathlesse," quoth he, "if need doe not you bynd, XXIX. Then thus began the lamentable Dame; "Sith 3 then ye needs will know the griefe I hoord, I am th' unfortunate Matilde by name, The wife of bold Sir Bruin, who is Lord XXX. "So is my Lord now seiz'd of all the land, And quietly doth hold it in his hand, 1 Earst, before. 2 Ared, explained. 3 Sith, since. 4 Debate, contend. XXX. 2.-As in his fee.] With perfect right of property. All these our ioyes, and all our blisse abate; And all this land with endlesse losse to over-flow. XXXI. "For th' heavens, envying our prosperitie, Which we might see after ourselves remaine To that foule Feend, who dayly doth attend XXXII. "But most my Lord is grieved herewithall, For which he long in vaine did sweat and swinke,1 That now the same he greatly doth forthinke.? Yet was it sayd, there should to him a sonne Be gotten, not begotten; which should drinke And dry up all the water which doth ronne [donne.3 In the next brooke, by whom that Feend should be for XXXIII. "Well hop't he then, when this was propheside, That from his sides some noble chyld should rize, The which through fame should farre be magnifide, 1 Swinke, toil. 2 Forthinke, think of beforehand. 3 Fordonne, undone. XXXI. 5. — In th' heritage of our unhappie paine.] To inherit our fortunes, which are made unhappy by the want of offspring. Church proposes to read "happie plaine"-fair estate-for "unhappie paine." And this proud Gyant should with brave emprize Who thinkes from me his sorrow all doth rize. Lo! this my cause of griefe to you appeares; [teares." For which I thus doe mourne, and poure forth ceaselesse XXXIV. Which when he heard, he inly touched was 1 With tender ruth for her unworthy 2 griefe; And, when he had devized of3 her case, He gan in mind conceive a fit reliefe For all her paine, if please her make the priefe 1: Which though I be not wise enough to frame, Yet, as I well it meane, vouchsafe it without blame. XXXV. "If that the cause of this your languishment Lo! how good fortune doth to you present XXXVI. "And, certes, it hath oftentimes bene seene, That of the like, whose linage was unknowne, 1 Ruth, pity. 2 Unworthy, undeserved. 3 Devized of, reflected upon. 5 Enchace, engrave. • Noursle up, educate. 7 Certes, certainly. More brave and noble Knights have raysed beene sowen Here by the gods, and fed with heavenly sap, 2 That made them grow so high t' all honorable hap.3" XXXVII. The Ladie, harkning to his sensefull 4 speach, She bore it thence, and ever as her owne it kept. XXXVIII. Right glad was Calepine to be so rid Of his young charge whereof he skilled nought; 1 Then, than. 2 Imps, shoots, grafts. 4 Sensefull, sensible. 5 Geason, uncommon. XXXVII. 7.- By liverey and seisin.] By delivery and possession; a law term. That it became a famous Knight well knowne, And did right noble deedes; the which elswhere are showne. XXXIX. But Calepine, now being left alone Under the greenewoods side in sorie plight, Or house to hide his head from heavens spight; And offred him, his courtesie to requite, Both horse and armes and whatso else to lend, XL. And, for exceeding griefe which inly grew, 5 1 Albe, although. 2 Wend, go. 3 Maugre, against his will. 4 Lig, lie. 5 Embost, enclosed. XXXVIII. 9. — Which elswhere are showne.] This promise the poet does not redeem. |