Thereto she learned was in Magicke leare,
And all the artes that subtill wits discover,
Having therein bene trained many a yeare,
And well instructed by the Fay her mother,
That in the same she farre exceld all other:
Who, understanding by her mightie art
Of th' evill plight in which her dearest brother
Now stood, came forth in hast to take his part,
And pacifie the strife which causd so deadly smart.

And, as she passed through th' unruly preace

40

41

Of people thronging thicke her to behold,
Her angrie teame breaking their bonds of peace
Great heapes of them, like sheepe in narrow fold,
For hast did over-runne in dust enrould;

That thorough rude confusion of the rout,

Some fearing shriekt, some being harmed hould, Some laught for sport, some did for wonder shout, And some, that would seeme wise, their wonder turnd to dout.

In her right hand a rod of peace shee bore,
About the which two Serpents weren wound,
Entrayled mutually in lovely lore,
And by the tailes together firmely bound,
And both were with one olive garland crownd;
Like to the rod which Maias sonne doth wield,
Wherewith the hellish fiends he doth confound:
And in her other hand a cup she hild,

The which was with Nepenthe to the brim upfild.
Nepenthe is a drinck of soverayne grace,

Devized by the Gods for to asswage
Harts grief, and bitter gall away to chace
Which stirs up anguish and contentious rage:
In stead thereof sweet peace and quiet age
It doth establish in the troubled mynd.
Few men, but such as sober are and sage,
Are by the Gods to drinck thereof assynd;
But such as drinck eternall happinesse do fynd.

42

43

Such famous men, such worthies of the earth,

44

As Jove will have advaunced to the skie,
And there made gods, though borne of mortall berth,
For their high merits and great dignitie,
Are wont, before they may to heaven flie,
To drincke hereof; whereby all cares forepast
Are washt away quite from their memorie :
So did those olde Heroes hereof taste,

Before that they in blisse amongst the Gods were plaste.

Much more of price, and of more gratious powre, 45
Is this, then that same water of Ardenne,
The which Rinaldo drunck in happie howre,
Described by that famous Tuscane penne :
For that had might to change the hearts of men
Fro love to hate, a change of evill choise;
But this doth hatred make in love to brenne,
And heavy heart with comfort doth rejoyce.
Who would not to this vertue rather yeeld his voice?

As last arriving by the listes side,

46

Shee with her rod did softly smite the raile,
Which straight flew ope and gave her
way to ride
Eftsoones out of her Coch she gan availe,

And pacing fairely forth did bid all haile
First to her brother, whom she loved deare,
That so to see him made her heart to quaile ;
And next to Cambell, whose sad ruefull cheare
Made her to change her hew, and hidden love t'appeare.

They lightly her requit, (for small delight
They had as then her long to entertaine)
And eft them turned both againe to fight:

47

Which when she saw, downe on the bloudy plaine Her selfe she threw, and teares gan shed amaine; Amongst her teares immixing prayers meeke, And with her prayers reasons, to restraine From blouddy strife; and blessed peace to seeke, By all that unto them was deare, did them beseeke.

But when as all might nought with them prevaile, 48 Shee smote them lightly with her powrefull wand: Then suddenly, as if their hearts did faile,

Their wrathfull blades downe fell out of their hand, And they, like men astonisht, still did stand. Thus whilest their minds were doubtfully distraught, And mighty spirites bound with mightier band, Her golden cup to them for drinke she raught, Whereof, full glad for thirst, ech drunk an harty draught.

Of which so soone as they once tasted had,

Wonder it is that sudden change to see :
Instead of strokes, each other kissed glad,
And lovely haulst, from feare of treason free,
And plighted hands for ever friends to be.
When all men saw this sudden change of things,
So mortall foes so friendly to agree,

For passing joy, which so great marvaile brings, They all gan shout aloud, that all the heaven rings. All which when gentle Canacee beheld,

In hast she from her lofty chaire descended,
To weet what sudden tidings was befeld:
Where when she saw that cruell war so ended,
And deadly foes so faithfully affrended,
In lovely wise she gan that Lady greet,
Which had so great dismay so well amended;
And entertaining her with curt'sies meet,
Profest to her true friendship and affection sweet.
Thus when they all accorded goodly were,

49

The trumpets sounded, and they all arose, Thence to depart with glee and gladsome chere. Those warlike champions both together chose Homeward to march, themselves there to repose; And wise Cambina, taking by her side Faire Canacee as fresh as morning rose, Unto her Coch remounting, home did ride, Admir'd of all the people and much glorifide.

50

51

Where making joyous feast theire daies they spent 52
In perfect love, devoide of hatefull strife,
Allide with bands of mutuall couplement ;
For Triamond had Canacee to wife,
With whom he ledd a long and happie life;
And Cambel tooke Cambina to his fere,
The which as life were to each other liefe.
So all alike did love, and loved were,

That since their days such lovers were not found elswere.

CANTO IV.

Satyrane makes a Turneyment
For love of Florimell:
Britomart winnes the prize from all,
And Artegall doth quell.

T often fals, (as here it earst befell)

I

That mortall foes doe turne to faithfull

frends,

And friends profest are chaungd to foemen fell: The cause of both of both their minds depends, And th' end of both likewise of both their ends; For enmitie, that of no ill proceeds

But of occasion, with th' occasion ends,

2

And friendship, which a faint affection breeds Without regard of good, dyes like ill grounded seeds. That well (me seemes) appeares by that of late Twixt Cambell and Sir Triamond befell; As als by this; that now a new debate Stird up twixt Blandamour and Paridell, The which by course befals me here to tell : Who, having those two other Knights espide Marching afore, as ye remember well,

Sent forth their Squire to have them both descride, And eke those masked Ladies riding them beside. Who backe returning told, as he had seene,

3

That they were doughtie knights of dreaded name, And those two Ladies their two loves unseene; And therefore wisht them without blot or blame To let them passe at will, for dread of shame. But Blandamour full of vainglorious spright, And rather stird by his discordfull Dame, Upon them gladly would have prov'd his might, But that he yet was sore of his late lucklesse fight.