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

470 THE FAERIE QUEEN. [BOOK IV.
"Thatwas, to wit, the porter of the place, "Yet many doughty warriors, often tried
lUnto whose trust the charge thereof was lent: In greater perils to be stout and bold,
His name was Doubt, that had a double face, Durst not the sternness of his look abide;
Th' one forward looking, th' other backward But, soon as they his count'nance did behold,
bent, Began to faint, and feel their courage cold.
Therein resembling Janus ancient Again, some other, that in hard assays
Which hath in charge the ingate 2 of the year: Were cowards known, and.little count did hold,10
And evermore his eyes about him went, Either through gifts, or guile, or such like ways,
As if some proved peril he did fear, Crept in by stooping low, or stealing of the keys.
Or did misdoubt some ill whose cause did not " But I, though meanest man of many mo',
appear. Yet much disdaining unto him to lout,ll
"On th' one side he, on th' other sat Delay, Or creep between his legs, so in to go,
Behind the gate, that none her might espy; Resolv'd him to assault with manhood stout,
Whose manner was, all passengers to stay And either beat him in, or drive him out.
And entertain with her occasions sly; 3 Eftsoons, advancing that enchanted shield,
Through which some lost great hope unheedily, With all my might I gan to lay about:
Which never they recover might again; Which when he saw, the glaive 12 which he did
And others, quite excluded forth, did lie wield
Long languishing there in unpitied pain, He gan forthwith t' avale,l and way unto me
And seeking often entrance afterwards in vain., yield.
"Me when as he 4 had privily espied " So as I enter'd, I did backward look,
Bearing the shield which I had conquer'd late, For fear of harm that might lie hidden there;
He kenn'd 5 it straight, and to me open'd wide: And lo! his hind-parts, whereof heed I took,
So in I pass'd, and straight he clos'd the gate. Much more deformed, fearful, ugly were,
But being in, Delay in close await Than all his former parts did erst 14 appear:
Caught hold on me, and thought my steps to stay, For Hatred, Murder, Treason, and Despite,
Feigning full many a fond 6 excuse to prate, With many more, lay in ambushment there,
And time to steal, the treasure of man's day, Awaiting to entrap the wareless 15 wight
Whose smallest minute lost no riches render 7 Which did not them prevent with vigilant foremay. sight.
"But by iio means my way I would forslow 8 "Thus having pass'd all peril, I was come
For aught that ever she could do or say; Within the compass of that island's space;
But, from my lofty steed dismounting low, The which did seem, unto my simple doom,16
Pass'd forth on foot, beholding all the way The only pleasant and delightful place
The goodly works, and stones of rich assay, That ever trodden was of footing's trace:
Cast into sundry shapes by wondrous skill, For all that Nature by her mother wit
That like on earth nowhere I reckon may; Could frame in earth, and form of.substance
And, underneath, the river rolling still base,
With murmur soft, that seem'd to fserve the Was there; and all that Nature did omit,
workman's will. Art, playing second Nature's part, supplied it.
" Thence forth I passed to the second gate, " No tree, that is of count, in greenwood grows,
The Gate of Good Desert, whose goodly pride From lowest juniper to cedar tall;
And costly frame were long here to relate: No flow'r in field, that dainty odour throws,
The same to all stood always open wide; And decks his branch with blossoms over all,
But in the porch did evermore abide But there was planted, or grew natural:
A hideous giant, dreadful to behold, Nor sense of man so coy and curious nice,
That stopp'd the entrance with his spacious But there might find to please itself withal;
stride, - Nor heart could wish for any quaint device,
And with the terror of his count'nance bold But there it present was, and did frail sense
Full many did affray, that else fain enter wo'ld: entice.
"His name was Danger, dreaded over all; "In such luxurious plenty of all pleasure,
Who day and night did watch and duly ward It seem'd a second Paradise, I guess,
From fearful cowards entrance to forestall 9 So lavishly enrich'd with Nature's treasure,
And faint-heart fools, whom show of peril hard That if the happy souls which do possess
Could terrify from fortune's fair award: Th' Elysian fields, and live in lasting bliss,
For oftentimes faint hearts, at first espial Should happen this with living eye to see,
Of his grim face, were from approaching scar'd: They soon would loathe their lesser happiness,
Unworthy they of grace, whom one denial And wish to life return'd again to be,
Excludes -from fairest hope withouten farther That in this joyous place they might have joy.
trial. ance free.
1 Given. 2 Entrance, beginning. 0o Were held in small esteem. 11 Stoop.
3 Plausible pretexts. 4 The porter, Doubt 12 Sword. 13 Lower.
5 Knew. 6 Idle. 7' Restore. 14 Formerly. 15 Unwary.
8 Delay, retard, my progress. 9 Prevent. 16 Judgment.