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

512 THE FAERIE QUEEN. [BOOK vr.
And him forbidden, who his hest I observ'd: From his right course, but still the way did
So much the more at him still did she scold, hold
And stones did cast; yet he for naught would To Faery Court; where what him fell shall else
swerve be told.
THE SIXTH BOOK But, in the trial of true Courtesy,
It's now so far from that which then it was,
OF That it indeed is naught but forgery,
THE FAERJItE QUEEN: Fashion'd to please the eyes of them that pass,
Which see not perfect things but in a glass:
CONTAINING Yet is that glass so gay that it can blind
THE LEGEND OF SIR CALIDORE, OR OF The wisest sight, to think gold that is brass: 0
~COURTEXSY~. But Virtue's seat is deep within the mind,
And not in outward shows but inward thoughts
THE ways through which mywearysteps I guide, d
In this delightful land of Faery, But where shall I in all antiquity
Are so exceeding spacious and wide, So fair a pattern find, where may be seen
And sprinkled with such sweet variety The goodly praise of princely Courtesy,
Of all that pleasant is to ear or eye, As in yourself, O sov'reign Lady Queen?
That I, nigh ravish'd with rare thoughts' delight, In whose pure mind, as in a mirror sheen,ll
My tedious travail do forget thereby; It shows, and with her brightness doth inflame
And, when I gin to feel decay of might, The eyes of all which thereon fixed be'n;
It strength to me supplies, and cheers my dulled But meriteth indeed a higher name:
sprite. Yet so, from low to high, uplifted is your name.
Such secret comfort and suchheav'nly pleasures, Then pardon me, most dreaded Sovereign,
Ye sacred Imps,2 that on Parnassus dwell, That from yourself I do this Virtue bring,
And there the keeping have of Learning's trea- And to yourself do it return again:
sures So from the Ocean all rivers spring,
WYhich do all worldly riches far excel, And tribute back repay as to their king:
Into the minds of mortal men do well,3 Right so from you all goodly virtues well
And goodly fury4 into them infuse Into the rest which round about you ring,l2Guide ye my footing, and conduct me well Fair Lords and Ladies which about you dwell,
In these strange ways where never foot did use,5 And do adorn your Court where courtesies excel.
Nor none can find but who was taught them by
the Muse:
Reveal to me the sacred nursery
Of Virtue, which with you doth there remain, CANTO I.
Where it in silver bow'r does hidden lie
Calidore savesfrom Mal<q'rt
From view of men and wicked world's disdain; A damsel usd vild:13
Since it at first was by the gods with pain 6 Doth vanquish Crudor and doth make
Planted in earth, being deriv'd at first Briana wax more aild.
From heav'nly seeds of bounty sovereign,7
And by them long with careful labour nurst; OF Court, it seems, men Courtesy do call,
Till it to ripeness grew, and forth to honour For that it there most useth to abound;
burst. And well beseemeth that in prince's hall
Amongst them all grows not a fairer flowr That Virtue should be plentifully found,
Than is the bloom of comely Courtesy; Which of all goodly manners is the ground,
Which though it on a lowly stalk do bow'r,,,ight so in Faery Court it did redound,
Yet brancheth forth in brave nobility,ight so in Faery Court it did redound,
And spreads itself through all civility Where courteous Knights and Ladies most did
Of which though present age do plenteous seem, n d m a m
Yet, being match'd with plain antiquity,
IYet, being match'd with plain an~tiquity, Of all on earth, and made a matchless paragon.
Ye will them all but feignid shows esteem, But'mongst them all was none more courteous
Which carry colours fair that feeble eyes mis- knight
dqem:9 Than Calidore, l beloved oyer all:
1 Command. 10 To think that golden which is but of brass.
2 -Children (of Jove); the Muses. 1 Shining, clear. 12 Encircle.
13 Vilely. I 4Dwell.
3 Cause to flow. 4 Poetic frenzy.
Frequet, us e to go. 6 Difficulty. 15 Calidore-from the Greek KaXos, beautiful, and
7 Supreme goodness or virtue 8 ABlide, grow. &t8w,t I give-means the man gifted with beautiful
9 Misjudge, are misled by. qualities (Callidoros), and represents Sir Philip Sidney.