Which see not perfect things but in a glas: Yet is that glasse so gay that it can blynd The wisest sight, to thinke gold that is bras : But Vertues seat is deepe within the mynd, And not in outward shows but inward thoughts defynd. 6 But where shall I in all antiquity So faire a patterne finde, where may be seene The goodly praise of princely Curtesie, As in Yourselfe, O soveraine Lady Queene? In whose pure minde, as in a mirrour sheene, It showes, and with her brightnesse doth inflame The eyes of all which thereon fixed beene; But meriteth indeede an higher name: Yet so, from low to high, uplifted is your name. 7 Then pardon me, most dreaded Soveraine, CANTO I. Calidore saves from Maleffort A Damzell used vylde: Doth vanquish Crudor; and doth make 1 OF Court, it seemes, men Courtesie doe call, Right so in Faery Court it did redound, Where curteous knights and ladies most did won1 Of all on earth, and made a matchlesse paragon. 2 But mongst them all was none more courteous knight Then Calidore, beloved over all: In whom it seemes that gentlenesse of spright 1 Won, dwell. II. 2. Then Calidore.] Sir Calidore, as Upton conjectures, represents Sir Philip Sidney. H. And well approv'd in batteilous affray, That him did much renowme, and far his fame display. 3 Ne was there knight, ne was there lady found 4 And now he was in travell on his way, They knew themselves, and both their persons rad*: When Calidore thus first: "Haile, noblest knight Of all this day on ground that breathen living spright! 5"Now tell, if please you, of the good successe "Now, happy man," sayd then Sir Calidore, 1 Conditions, qualities. 2 Embase, put down. 3 Bestad, circumstanced. 4 Rad, recognized. "Which have, so goodly as ye can devize,1 Atchiev'd so hard a quest, as few before; That shall you most renowmed make for evermore. 66 6 But where ye ended have, now I begin To tread an endlesse trace; withouten guyde Or how to issue forth in waies untryde, "What is that quest," quoth then Sir Artegall, "That you into such perils presently doth call?" 7 "The Blattant Beast," quoth he, "I doe pursew, And through the world incessantly doe chase. Till I him overtake, or else subdew: Yet know I not or how or in what place To find him out, yet still I forward trace." Then answerd he, "which often hath annoyd Good knights and ladies true, and many else destroyd. 8 "Of Cerberus whilome he was begot, 1 Devize, describe. Into this wicked world he forth was sent To be the plague and scourge of wretched men: Whom with vile tongue and venemous intent He sore doth wound, and bite, and cruelly torment." 9 "Then, since the Salvage Island I did leave," Sayd Artegall, "I such a beast did see, The which did seeme a thousand tongues to have, That all in spight and malice did agree, With which he bayd and loudly barkt at mee, As if that he attonce would me devoure: But I, that knew myselfe from perill free, Did nought regard his malice nor his powre; But he the more his wicked poyson forth did poure." 10 "That surely is that beast," saide Calidore, "Which I pursue, of whom I am right glad To heare these tidings which of none afore Through all my weary travell I have had: Yet now some hope your words unto me add." "Now God you speed," quoth then Sir Artegall, "And keepe your body from the daunger drad1: For ye have much adoe to deale withall!" So both tooke goodly leave, and parted severall. 11 Sir Calidore thence travelled not long, 1 Drad, fearful. IX. 1.- Salvage Island.] How plainly does the poet point at Ireland, and allude to the calumny and false accusations flung on Arthur Lord Grey of Wilton! UPTON. |