The Canterbury tales and Faerie queene &c., &c., &c., ed. for popular perusal with current illustrations and explanatory notes, by D. Laing Purves.

CANTO I.] THE FAERM QUEEN. 411Which when those knights beheld, with scorn- Believing Britomart what she seemed,' a
ful eye fresh and lusty knight," the Lady grew greatly
They sdeignid l such lascivious disport, enamoured, and soon burned in extreme desire;
And loath'd the loose demeanour of that wanton recklessly bursting into terms of open outrage,
sort.2 that plainly discovered her passionate nature"not to love, but lust, inclin'd." The crafty
Thence they were brought to that great Lady's glances of her false eyes aimed at the comely
view, guest's heart, "and told her'meaning in her
Whom they found sitting on a sumptuous bed countenance; but Britomart dissembled it with
That glister'd all with gold and glorious shew, sumptuous supper was served;
i tgnorance."' A sumptuous supper was served;
As the proud Persian queens accustomed:
As the proud Persian queens accustod: nothing lacked that was dainty and rare; " and
She seem'cd a woman of great bountihead 3
She seem'd a woman of great bountihead 3 aye the cups their banks did overflow, and aye
And of rare beauty, saving that askance
And of rare beauty, saving that askance between the cups" the Lady shot secret darts
Her wanton eyes (ill signs of womanhead) at the unmoved Maiden Knight. Having again
Did roll too lightly, and too often glance, vainly entreated Britomart to disarm, the Lady
Without regard of grace or comely amenance. began to show her desire more openly, with
Invited by the Lady, the Redcross Knight dis- sighs, and sobs, and plaints, and piteous grief,
armed; but Britomart would only lift her visor. the outward sparks of her in-burning fire;" and
As when fair Cynthia, s night, at last told her plainly, that if she did not show
As, when fair Cynthia, in darksome night,
ssome pity, and do her some comfort, she must
Is in a noyous 5 cloud enveloped,
die. Britomart, credulously judging the other's
Where shemayfind the substance thin and light, Britomartcredulouslyudgingtheother
" 3 4 strong extremity by her own secret passion
Breaks forth her silver beams, and her bright t remity" by her own secret pssion
head — like a bird that, knowing not "the false
ce to the. worl d m fifowler's call, into his hidden net full easily
Discovers to the world discomfited; 6
Of the pr t r tt wt a y doth fall "-now entertained the Lady with fair
Of the poor traveller that went astray
With thousand blessings she is herid 7 countenance, while inwardly deeming "her love
With thousand blessings she is heribd-?e
too light, to woo a wandering guest." The
Such was the beauty and the shining ray,
With which fair Britomart gave light unto the tables were moved; every knight and gentle
squire " gan choose his dame with basciomanc 13
day.
d^^ u~ay. gay;"
And eke those six, which lately with her fought,
Now were disarm'd, and did themselves present Some fell to dance; some fell to hazardry; 14
Unto her view and company unsought; Some to make love; some to make merriment;
For they all seemed courteous and gents As diverse wits to diverse things apply:
And all six brethren, born of one parent, And all the while fair Malecasta 1 bent
Which had them train'd in all civility, Her crafty engines'6 to her close intent.7
And goodly taught to tilt and tournament; By this th' eternal lamps, wherewith high Jove
Now were they liegemen to this Lady free, Doth light the lower world, were half y-spent,
And her knight's-service ought,9 to hold of her And the moist daughters of huge Atlas strove
in fee. Into the ocean deep to drive their weary drove.
The first of them by name Gardant hight, The guests were lit to their chambers by long
A jolly person, and of comely view; * waxen torches; and the Britonesg, when alone,
The second was Parlante, a bold knight; "gan herself despoil, and safe commit to her
And next to him Jocant6 did ensue; soft feather'd nest," where she slept soundly.
Basciante did himself most courteous shew; Now when as all the world in silence deep
But fierce Bacchant6 seem'd too fell and keen; Y-shrouded was, and every mortal wight
And yet in arms Noctant6 10 greater grew: Was drowned in the depth of deadly sleep,
All were fair knights, and goodly well beseen; " Fair Malecasta, whose engrieved sprite s1
But to fair Britomart they all but shadows been. Could find no rest in such perplexed plight,
For. she wa l Lightly arose out of her weary bed,
For she was full of amiable grace
And manly terror mixld therewithal; And, under the black veil of guilty night,
And manly terror mixecd therewithal;
Her with a scarlet mantle covered,
That, as the one stirr'd up affections base, wH a with scarlet mantle covered,
So th' other did men's rash desires appal, That was with gold and ermines fair enveloped.
So th' other did men's rash desires appal,
And hold them back that would in error fall:. Then panting soft, and trembling ev'ry joint,
As he that hath espied a vermeil rose, Her fearful feet toward the bow'r 19 she mov'd,
Tq which sharp thorns and briars the way fore- Where she for secret purpose did appoint
stall, 2 To lodge the warlike Maid, unwisely lov'd;
Dare not for dread his hardy hand expose, And, to her bed approaching, first she prov'd
But, wishing it far off, his idle wish doth lose. Whether she slept or wak'd: with her soft hand
1 Disdained. 2 Company. 3 Goodness. Prattler, the Jester, the Kisser, the Drinker, and the
4 Carriage, behaviour. 5 Gloomy, dismal. Night Reveller or pursuer of nocturnal pleasures.
6 Troubled dejected (at her absence). 11 Well-arrayed. 12 Prevent.
7 Honoured. 8 Gentle, noble. 13 Hand-kissings. 14 Gaming.
9 Owed. 15 The Unchaste-the name of the Lady of Delight.
10 The names of the knights denote the stages in the'16 Wits, devices. 17 Secret purpose.
progress of light love; they mean the Ogler, the is Wounded spirit. 19 Chamber.
-- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~x Chaber