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

CANTO VIII.] THE FAERIE QUEEN. 343
The force, which wont in two to be disperst, Such was this giant's fall, that seem'd to shake
In one alone left hand 1 he now unites, The steadfast globe of earth, as 0 it for fear did
Which is through rage more strong than both quake.
were erst 2 -Thekuight then, lightly leaping to the prey,
With which his hideous club aloft he dights, With mortal steel him smote again so sore,
And at his foe with furious rigour smites, That headless his unwieldy body lay,
That strongest oak might seem to overthrow: All wallow'd in his own foul bloody gore,
The stroke upon his shield so heavy lights, Which flowed from his wounds in wondrous
That to the ground it doubleth him full low:- store.
What mortal wight could ever bear so monstrousBut, soon as breath out of his breast did pass,
blow That huge great body which the giant bore
And in his fall his shield, that eover'd was, Was vanish'd quite; and of that monstrous mass
Did loose his veil by chance, and open flew; Was nothing left, but like an empty bladder was.
The light whereof, that heaven's light did pass, Whose grievous fall when false Duessa spied,
Such blazing brightness through the air threw, Her golden cup she cast unto the ground,
That eye might not the same endure to view. And crowned mitre rudely threw aside;
Which when the giant spied with staring eye, Such piercing grief her stubborn heart did
He down let fall his arm, and soft withdrew wound,
His weapon huge, that heavid was on high That she could not endure that doleful stound; I
For to have slain the man that on the ground did But, leaving all behind her, fled away;
lie. The light-foot squire her quicklyturn'd around,
And eke the fruitful-headed 4 beast, amaz'd And, by hard means enforcing her to stay,
At flashing beams of that sunshiny shield, So brought unto his lord, as his deserved prey.
Became stark blind, and all his senses daz'd,5 The royal Virgin, which beheld from far,
That down he tumbled on the dirty field, In pensive plight and sad perplexity,
And seem'd himself as conquered to yield. The whole achievement of this doubtful war,
Whom when his mistress proud perceiv'd to fall, Came running fast to greet his victory,
While yet his feeble feet for faintness reeld, With sober gladness and mild modesty;
Unto the giant loudly she gan call; And, with sweet joyous cheer,12 him thus be"O! help, Orgoglio; help, or else we perish all!" spake;
At her so piteous cry was much amov'd " Fair branch of nobless, flower of chivalry,
Her champion stout; and, for to aid his friend, That with your worth the world amazed make,
Again his wonte&angry weapon prov'd ~ 6 How shall I quite 3 the pains ye suffer for my
But all in vain; for he has read his end sake
In that bright shield, and all his forces spend "And you,14 fresh bud of virtue springing fast,
Themselves in vain: for, since that glancing Whom these sad eyes sawnigh unto death's door,
sight, What hath poor virgin for such peril past
He hath no power to hurt nor to defend. Wherewith you to reward? Accept theref6re
As, where th' Almighty's lightning brand does My simple self, and service evermore.
light, And He that high does sit, and all things see
It dims the dazed eyne, and daunts the senses With equal eye, their merits to restore,
quite. Behold what ye this day have done for me;
Whom when the Prince to battle new addrest, And, what I cannot quite,'3 requite with usury!
And threat'ninghighhis dreadful stroke, did see, "But since the heavens, and your fair handeHis sparkling blade about his head he blest,7 ling,l5
And smote off quite his left leg by the knee, Have made you master of the field this day;
That down he tumbled: as an aged tree, Your fortune master eke with governing,16
High growing on the top of rocky clift,8 And, well begun, end all so well, I pray I
Whose heart-strings with keen steel nigh Nor let that wicked woman scape away;
hewen be; For she it is that did my lord bethrall,l7
The mighty trunk, half rent with ragged rift, My dearest lord, and deep in dungeon lay;
Doth roll adown the rocks, and fall with fearful Where he his better days hath wasted all:
drift. 0 hear, how piteous he to you for aid does call 1"
Or as a castle, reared high and round, Forthwith he gave in charge unto his squire
By subtle engines 9 and malicious sleight That scarlet whore to keepen carefully;
Is undermineid from the lowest ground, While he himself, with greedy great desire,
And, her foundation forc'd and feebled quite, Into the castle enter'd forcibly,
At last down falls; and with her heaped height Where living creature none he did espy:
Her hasty ruin does more heavy make, Then gan he loudly through the house to call;
And yields itself unto the victor's might: But no man car'd to answer to his cry:
1 In a single hand left to him. 10 As if. 1 Calamity.
s Before. 8 Raises. 12 Countenance. 13 Recompense.
4 Many-headed. 5 Confused. 14 The squire. 1I Conduct.
6 iriede. 7 3Brandished. 16 Master also your fortune by prudent use of your
8 Cliff. 9 Contrivances, stratagems. success. 1 Enslave.