From her high spirit chase imperious feare, In sted thereof with drops of melting love, Deawd with ambrosiall kisses, by thee gotten From thy sweete smyling mother from above, Sprinckle her heart, and haughtie courage soften, That she may hearke to love, and reade this lesson often. V. 3.- Imperious feare.] Feare here means that which inspires fear in others. H. V. 5. With drops of melting love, &c.] Elizabeth, when this portion of the poem was published, was over sixty years old. H. CANTO I. Fayre Britomart saves Amoret: Duessa discord breedes Twixt Scudamour and Blandamonr: 1 OF lovers sad calamities of old 2 For, from the time that Scudamour her bought1 In perilous fight, she never ioyed day; A perilous fight! when he with force her brought From twentie knights that did him all assay 2; Yet fairely well he did them all dismay,3 1 Bought, ransomed. 2 Assay, assail. 8 Dismay, overpower. II. 3.- · A perilous fight.] Of the manner in which Scudamore won Amoret, we are informed hereafter, in the tenth canto of this ɔook. H. And with great glorie both the Shield of Love Whom having wedded, as did him behove, For that same vile Enchauntour Busyran, And there the ladie ill of friends bestedded,1 4 Seven moneths he so her kept in bitter smart, Released her, that else was like to sterve2 kerve3: And now she is with her upon the way Marching in lovely wise, that could deserve No spot of blame, though spite did oft assay To blot her with dishonor of so faire a pray. Yet should it be a pleasant tale, to tell 1 Bestedded, assisted. Sterre, die. Kerve, carve, cut. 4 Lovely, affectionate. 61. e. Britomart. 6 Demeanure daint, delicate conduct. That each to other made, as oft befell: For Amoret right fearefull was and faint, Lest she with blame her honor should attaint, That everie word did tremble as she spake, And everie looke was coy and wondrous quaint, And everie limbe that touched her2 did quake; Yet could she not but curteous countenance to her make. 6 For well she wist, as true it was indeed, Nathlesse her honor dearer then her life She sought to save, as thing reserv'd from stealth Die had she lever with Enchanters knife Then to be false in love, profest a virgine wife. 7 Thereto her feare was made so much the greater, And maske her wounded mind, both did and sayd VII. 4-Wounded mind.] Wounded that is, with love for Arthogall. H. Of love, and otherwhiles of lustfulnesse, That much she feard his mind would grow to some excesse. 8 His will she feard; for him she surely thought As well became a knight, and did to her all honor. It so befell one evening that they came Where many a knight, and many a lovely dame, 16 Amongst the rest there was a iolly Knight, |