Prince Arthur is, that wonnes1 in Faerie lond; Shall by to morrow by thy side be fond.” At which bold word that Boaster gan to quake, And wondred in his minde what mote that monster make. XIX. He stayd not for more bidding, but away Was suddein vanished out of his sight: The northerne winde his wings did broad display At his commaund, and reared him up light From off the earth to take his aerie flight. They lookt about, but no where could espye XX. Till that they come unto a forrest greene, In which they shrowd themselves from causeles feare: Yet both doe strive their fearefulnesse to faine. And made the forrest ring, as 2 it would rive in twaine. XVIII. 9.- What mote that monster make.] What that strange person meant, or, perhaps, what he might do. XIX. 1.- He, &c.] Archimago. XX. 5.-As ghastly bug.] Bug was formerly used for any monstrous or frightful appearance. Shakspeare says, (K. Henry VI. Part I.) "For Warwick was a bug that feared us all;" that is, was a formidable being, that frightened us all. XXI. Eft through the thicke2 they heard one rudely rush; Of what might hap. Eftsoone3 there stepped foorth That seemd to be a woman of great worth, XXII. Her face so faire, as flesh it seemed not, XXIII. In her faire eyes two living lamps did flame, 1 Eft, afterwards. Thicke, thickets. 3 Eftsoone, immediately. 4 Portance, demeanor. XXI. 7.-A goodly Ladie, &c.] In the beautiful and elaborate portrait of Belphœbe, Spenser has drawn a flattered likeness of Queen Elizabeth. To kindle oft assayd, but had no might; For, with dredd maiestie and awfull yre, She broke his wanton darts, and quenched bace desyre. XXIV. Her yvorie forhead, full of bountie brave, Like a broad table did itselfe dispred, For Love his loftie triumphes to engrave, And write the battailes of his great godhed: All good and honour might therein be red; For there their dwelling was. And, when she spake, Sweete wordes, like dropping honny, she did shed; And twixt the perles and rubins1 softly brake A silver sound, that heavenly musicke seemd to make. XXV. Upon her eyelids many Graces sate, And soveraine moniment of mortall vowes, How shall frayle pen descrive her heavenly face, For feare, through want of skill, her beauty to disgrace! XXVI. So faire, and thousand thousand times more faire, She seemd, when she presented was to sight; And was yclad, for heat of scorching aire, 4 Purfled 5 upon with many a folded plight, 6 Which all above besprinckled was throughout 1 Rubins, rubies. 2 Belgardes, sweet looks. 4 Camus, thin dress. 5 Purfled, embroidered. • Plight, plait. With golden aygulets,' that glistred bright Like twinckling starres; and all the skirt about Was hemd with golden fringe. XXVII. Below her ham her weed 2 did somewhat trayne, All bard with golden bendes, which were entayld 5 The ends of all the knots, that none might see XXVIII. Like two faire marble pillours they were seene, Those same with stately grace and princely port XXIX. And in her hand a sharpe bore-speare she held, XXVII. 4. — Bard with golden bendes.] Marked with golden orna ments. Stuft with steel-headed dartes wherewith she queld Her daintie paps; which, like young fruit in May, Through her thin weed their places only signifide. XXX. Her yellow lockes, crisped like golden wyre, In her rude heares sweet flowres themselves did lap,2 XXXI. Such as Diana by the sandy shore Of swift Eurotas, or on Cynthus greene, Where all the nymphes have her unwares forlore,3 To succour the weake state of sad afflicted Troy. 1 Inspyre, breathe. 2 Lap, entwine themselves. 3 Forlore, left. XXX. 1.- Her yellow lockes, &c.] The yellow locks of Queen Elizabeth enter largely into the descriptions of beauty by the poets of her reign. XXXI. 5.- That famous queene.] Penthesilea, who, according to the received accounts, was slain by Achilles. |