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

CANTO IX.] TE'FAERIE QUEEN. 503
Not of rich tissue, nor of cloth of gold, of the trial of Duessa, who unexpectedly turns
Nor of aught else that may be richest read,' up, we have a most remarkable statement of
But like a cloud, as likest may be told, the case between Elizabeth and Mary Queen of
That her broad-spreading wings didwide unfold; Scots-whose head had fallen at Fotheringay
Whose skirts were border'd with bright sunny nearly ten years before this passage was pubbeams, lished.
Glist'rig like gold amongst the plights 2 en- Then was there brought, as prisoner to the bar,
roll'd, A lady of great countenance and place,
And here and there shooting forth silver streams, But that she it with foul abuse did mar;'Mongst which.crept little angels through the Yet did appear rare beauty in her face,
glitt'ring gleams. But blotted with condition vile and base,
Seemed those little angels did uphold That all her other honour did obscure,
The cloth of state, and on their purpled wings And titles of nobility deface:
Did bear the pendants through their nimbless 3 Yet, in that wretched semblant,9 she did sure
bold; The people's great compassion unto her allure.
Besides, a thousand more of such as singss personof deep reach
Then up arose a person'of deep reach
Hymns to High God, and carols heavenly things, A rareinsighthardmatterstoreveal;
Encompassed the throne on which she sate; *.'. re
Encompassd the throne on which she sate; That well could charm his tongue, and time his
She, angel-like, the heir of ancient kings speech
And mighty conquerors, in royal state; speec
And mi~ghty conquerors, in royal state; To all essays; 10 his name was called Zeal:
Whilst Kings and Kaisers at her feet did them He gan that ady strongly to appealll
prostrate. Of many heinous crimes by her enur'd; 12
In her hand was a sceptre, the " sacred pledge And with sharp reasons rang her such a peal,
of peace and clemency;" and at her feet was That those, whom she to pity had allur'd,
laid her sword, rusted with long rest, though He now t' abhor and loathe her person had
when foes enforced, or friends sought aid, "she procur'd.
could it sternly draw, that all the world dis- Firstgan he tellhow his, ha see'd sofair
may'd.)' First gan he tell how this, that seem.'d sofair
may'd." And royally array'd, Duessa hight;
And round about before her feet there sate That false Duessa, which had wrought great
A bevy of fair virgins clad in white, care 13
That goodly seem'd t' adorn her royal state; And mickle mischief unto many a knight,
All lovely daughters of high Jove, that hight By her'beguiled and confounded quite:
Litse,4 by him begot in love's delight But not for those she now in question came,
Upon the righteous Themis; those, they say, Though also those might question'd be aright,
Upon Jove's judgment-seat wait day and night; But for vile treasons and outrageous shame,
And, when in wrath he threats the world's decay, Which she against the dread Mercilla oft did
They do his anger calm and cruel vengeance stay. frame.
They also do, by his divine permission, For she whilom (as ye might yet right well
Upon the thrones of mortal Princes tend, Remember) had her counsels false conspir'd
And often treat for pardon and remission With faithless Blandamour and Paridell 14
To suppliants through frailty which offend: (Both two her paramours, both by her hir'd,
Those did upon Mercilla's throne attend, And both with hope of shadows vain inspir'd),
Just Dice,5 wise Eunomie,6 mild Eirene; 7 And with them practis'd, how for to deprive
And them amongst, her glory to commend, Mercilla of her crown, by her aspir'd,'5
Sat goodly Temperance in garments clean, That she might it unto herself derive,
And sacred Reverence, y-born of heav'nly And triumph in their blood whom she to death
strene.8 did drive.
Underneath Mercilla's feet was a huge great But through\ high heaven's grace, which favour
lion, "with astrongiron chain and collarbound," not
so that he could not stir, but only " murmur The wicked drifts of traitorous designs
with rebellious sound," when " savage, choler'Gainst loyal princes, all this cursed plot,
gan redound." The two Knights made lowly Ere proof it took,l6 discover'd was betimes,
reverence to the Queen, who received them with And th' actors won the meed meet for their
mild and cheerful air; and soon she returned crimes:
to the business that occupied her when they Such be the meed of all that by such mean 1
arrived-" the trial of a great and weighty Unto the type of kingdom's title climbs!
case "-for their better understanding of which But false Duessa, now untitled Queen,
she took them up into her throne, and set them Was brought to her sad doom, as here was to be
one on each side. And now, under the allegory seen.
1 Described, discovered. 2 Folds, plaits. 13 Trouble.
3 Nimbleness. 4 Prayers. - 14 The Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland,
5 Justice. 6 Making.ofgoodlaws. leaders of the Northern Insurrection of 1569, are
7 Peace. 8 Stock, race. believed to.be signified under these names.
9 Appearance. 10 Undertakings. 15 Aspired to (by Duessa).
11 Impeach. 12 Committed. 16 Ere it was put in execution. 17 Means.