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

448 THER FAERIE QUEEN. [BOOK IV.
Which he to shun, and stop vile: envy's sting, Nor dare I like; but, through infusion sweet
Hath lately caus'd to be proclaim'd each where Of thine own spiritwhich doth in me survive,
A solemn feast, with public tourneying, I follow here the footing of thy feet,
To which all knights with them their ladies are That with thy meaning so I may the rather
to bring: meet.5
"And of them all she that is fairest found Cambello's sister was fair Canac6,
Shall have that golden girdle for reward; That was the learned'st lady in her days,
And of those knights, who is most stout on Well seen 6 in ev'ry science that might be,
ground, And ev'ry secret work of nature's ways;
Shall to that fairest lady be prefar'd.1 In witty riddles; and in wise soothsays;
Since therefore she herself is now your ward, In pow'r of herbs; and tunes of beasts and birds;
To you that ornament of hers pertains, And, that augmented all her other praise,
Against all those that challenge it, to guard, She modest was in all her deeds and words,
And save her honour with your venturous pains; And wondrous chaste of life, yet lov'd of knights
That shall you win more glory, than ye here and lords.
find gains." Full many lords and many knights her lov'd,
Hearing "the reason of his words," they Yet she to none of them her liking lent,
abate their malice, swear new friendship, and Nor ever was with fond affection mov'd,
ride forth together " in friendly sort, that lasted But rul'd her thoughts with goodly government,
but a while; and of all old dislikes they made For dread of blame and honour's blemishment;
fair weather; yet all was forg'd and spread And eke unto her looks a law she made,
with golden foil, that under it hid hate and That none of them once out of order went,
hollow guile." Thus marching all " in close But, like to wary sentinels well stay'd,
disguise of feigned love," they overtake two Still watch'd on ev'ry side, of secret foes afraid.
knights in close friendly conference, followed So much the more as she refus'd to love,
by "two ladies of most goodly hue," who, in So much the more she lovid was and sought,
courteous discourse with each other, are "un- That oftentimes unquiet strife did rmove
mindful both of that discordful crew." The Amongst her lovers, and great quarrels wrought;
overtaking company send forward the Squire of That oft for her in bloody arms they fought.
Dames to reconnoitre; and he returns with the Whichwhen as Cambell, that was stout and wise,
news that they are two of the bravest knights Perceiv'd would breed great mischief, he be"in Faery Land, and those two ladies their two thought
lovers dear; "Courageous Cambell, and stout How to prevent the peril that might rise,
Triamond, with Canac6 and Cambine link'd And turn both him and her to honour in this
in lovely bond." wise.
Whil6m, as antique stories tellen us, One day, when all that troop of warlike wooers
Those two were foes the felonest 2 on ground, Assembled were, to weet7 whose she should be,
And battle made the dreadest dangerous All mighty men and dreadful derring-doers 8
That ever shrilling trumpet did resound; (The harder it to make them well agree),
Though now their acts be nowhere to be found, Amongst them all this end he did decree;
As that renowned poet them compil'd That, of them all which love to her did make,
With warlike numbers and heroic sound, They by consent should choose the stoutest
Dan Chaucer, Well of English undefil'd, three,
On Fame's eternal beadroll worthy to be fil'd. That with himself should combat for her sake,
~But wicked Time, that all good thoughts doth And of them all the victor should his sister take.
waste, Bold was the challenge, as himself was bold,
And works of noblest wits to naught outwear, And courage full of haughty hardiment,9
That famous monument hath quite defac'd, Approvid oft in perils manifold,
And robb'd the world of treasure endless dear, Which he achiev'd to his great ornament:
The which might have enrichid all us here. But yet his sister's skill unto him lent
O cursed eld,3 the canker-worm of writs!4 Most confidence and hope of happy speed,
How may these rhymes, so rude as doth appear, Conceived by a ring which she him sent,
Hope to endure, since works of heav'nly wits That,'mongst the many virtues which we read,
Are quite devour'd, and brought to naught by Had power to staunch all wounds that mortally
little bits! did bleed.
Then pardon, O most sacred happy spirit, Well was that ring's great virtue known to all;
That I thy labours lost may thus revive, That dread thereof, and his redoubted might,
And steal from thee the meed of thy due merit, Did all that youthly rout so much appal,
That none durst ever whilst thou wast alive, That none of them durst undertake the fight:
And, being dead, in vain yet many strive: More wise they ween'd to make of love delight,
1 Preferred; she shall be bestowed upon him. Chaucer left unfinished, and Spenser ventures to con2 Fellest, cruelest. tinue. 6 Skilled.
3 Age. 4 Writings, manuscripts. 7 Learn. 8 Doers of daring deeds,
5 See note 18, page 121, on The Squire's Tale; which 9 Hardihood, bravery.