1 But by what meanes did they at first it reare,1 And for what cause? tell if thou have it knowne." Sayd then that Squire: "The Lady, which doth owne This castle, is by name Briana hight; Then which a prouder lady liveth none: She long time hath deare lov'd a doughty knight, And sought to win his love by all the meanes she might. 15 His name is Crudor; who, through high disdaine And proud despight of his selfe-pleasing mynd, Refused hath to yeeld her love againe, Untill a mantle she for him doe fynd With beards of knights and locks of ladies lynd: Cald Maleffort, a man of mickle might, 16 "He, this same day as I that way did come In execution of her lawlesse doome Ne wote I surely whether her he yet have fond." 17 Thus whiles they spake, they heard a ruefull shrieke Of one loud crying, which they streightway ghest 1 Reare, establish. That it was she the which for helpe did seeke. They saw that carle from farre, with hand unblest, That all her garments from her snowy brest, And from her head her lockes he nigh did teare, Ne would he spare for pitty, nor refraine for feare. 18 Which haynous sight when Calidore beheld, And turne thee soone to him of whom thou art defyde." 19 Who, hearkning to that voice, himselfe upreard, And, seeing him so fiercely towardes make, Against him stoutly ran, as nought afeard, But rather more enrag'd for those words sake; And with sterne count'naunce thus unto him spake : "Art thou the caytive that defyest me, And for this mayd, whose party thou doest take, Wilt give thy beard, though it but little bee? Yet shall it not her lockes for raunsome fro me free." 1 Lest, listen. 2 Faytor, villain. 8 Weft, waif. XVIII. 8.-That hath it better iustifyde.] That hath established a better claim to it. 20 With that he fiercely at him flew, and layd 21 Like as a water-streame, whose swelling sourse Breakes forth, and makes his way more violent; When once he felt his foeman to relent; 22 The heavy burden of whose dreadfull might Whom Calidore perceiving fast to flie, He him pursu'd and chaced through the plaine, That he for dread of death gan loude to crie Unto the ward to open to him hastilie. 1 Unstayd, unsteady. 2 Recuile, recoil. 8 I. e. take to defending himself. 23 They, from the wall him seeing so aghast, That even in the porch he him did win, 24 With that the rest the which the castle kept He was ymett, who with uncomely shame 25"False traytor Knight," sayd she, "no knight at all, 1 On the flore, on the spot. 2 Bryzes, breezes, gadflies. 26 Much was the Knight abashed at that word; Yet answerd thus: "Not unto me the shame, But to the shamefull doer it afford.1 Bloud is no blemish; for it is no blame To punish those that doe deserve the same; 27"Then doe yourselfe, for dread of shame, forgoe fyde." 28 "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, perhaps he mote it deare aby." 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 Afford, attach, impute. 2 I. e. lesson of courtesy. 8 In place, here. |