 Book 6. Canto 6. The Legend of Caledon This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Morgan Scorpion. The Fairy Queen by Edmund Spencer. Book 6. The Legend of Caledon. Canto 6. The Hermit heals both squire and dame of their sore maladies. He terpying doth defeat and shame for his late villainies. No wound which warlike hand of enemy inflicts with dint of sword, so saw doth light as doth the poisonous sting which infamy infixeth in the name of noble white. For by no art nor any leeches might it ever can recured be again, nor all the skill which that immortal sprite of Podolirius did in it retain. Can remedy such hurts, such hurts are hellish pain. Such were the wounds the which that blatant beast made in the bodies of that squire and dame, and being such were now much more increased for want of taking heed unto the same. That now corrupt and cureless they became. How be that careful Hermit did his best with many kinds of medicines meet to tame the poisonous humour which did most infest their rankling wounds, and every day them duly dressed. For he right well in leeches craft was seen, and through the long experience of his days, which had in many fortunes tossed been, and passed through many perilous assays, he knew the diverse went of mortal ways, and in the minds of men had great insight. With which sage-council when they went astray, he could inform, and them reduce a right, and all the passions heal, which warmed the weakest sprite. For while long he had been a doubting night as any one that lived in his days, and proved oft in many perilous fight, of which he grace and glory won always, and in all battles bore away the bays, but being now attached with timely age and weary of this world's unquiet ways, he took himself unto this hermitage, in which he lived alone, like careless bird in cage. One day, as he was searching of their wounds, he found that they had festered privily, and rankling inward with unruly stands the inner part now gone to putrefy, that quite they seemed past the help of surgery, and rather needed to be disciplined, with wholesome reed of sad sobriety, to rule the stubborn rage of passion blind, give selves to every sore, but counsel to the mind. So taking them apart into his cell, he to that point fit speeches gone to frame, as he the art of words knew wonder's well, and each could do, as well as say the same. And thus he to them said, Fair daughter dame, and you fair son, which here thus long now lie in pitchous languor, since ye hither came, in vain of me ye hope for remedy, and I likewise in vain desolves to you apply. For in yourself your only help doth lie, to heal yourselves and must proceed alone from your own will to cure your malady, who can him cure that will be cured of none. If therefore health ye seek, observe this one. First learn your outward senses to refrain from things that stir up frail affection, your eyes, your ears, your tongue, your talk restrain, from that they most affect, and in due terms contain. For from these outward senses ill-affected, the seed of all this evil first doth spring, which at the first before it had infected, most easy be suppressed with little thing. But being grown strong, it forth doth bring sorrow, and anguish, and impatient pain in the inner parts, and lastly scattering contagious poison close to every bane it never rests, till it have wrought his final bane. For that beast's teeth, which wounded you to four, are so exceeding, venomous, and keen, made all of rusty iron, rankling sore, that where they bite, it booteth not to wean with salve, or antidote, or other mean, it ever to amend. No marvel ought, for that same beast was bred of hellish string, and long in dark some stygian den up wrought, begot of foul echidna, as in books is taught. Echidna is a monster diaphyl dread, whom gods do hate, and heavens of war to see, so hideous in her shape, so huge her head, that even the hellish fiends affrighted be at sight thereof, and from her presence flee. Yet did her face and former parts profess a fair young maiden, full of comely glee, but all her hinder parts did plain express a monstrous dragon, full of fearful ugliness. To hear the gods, for her so dreadful face in fearful darkness furthest from the sky, and from the earth appointed have her place, amongst rocks and caves, where she enrolled to fly in hideous horror and obscurity, wasting the strength of her immortal age. There did Typhaeon with her company, cruel Typhaeon whose tempestuous rage makes the heavens tremble oft, and him with bowser's swage. Of that comixion they did then beget this hellish dog that hight the blatant beast, a wicked monster that his tongue doth wet against all, both good and bad, both most and least, and pours his poisonous gull forth to infest the noblest whites with notable defame. Nor ever night that bore so lofty crisp, nor ever lady of so honest name, but he them spotted with reproach or secret shame. In reign therefore it were with medicine to go about to solve such kind of saw, that rather needs wise read and discipline than outward solves, that may augment it more. I, me, said then Serena, sighing, saw. What hope of help doth then for us remain, if that no solves may us to health restore? But sith we need good counsel, said the swain, a read good sigh, some counsel that may us sustain. The best, said he, that I can you advise, is to avoid the occasion of the ill, for when the cause whence evil doth arise, remove it is, the effects are ceaseeth still. Abstain from pleasure and restrain your will, subdue desire and bridle loose delight. Use scanted diet and forbear your fill, shun secrecy and talk in open sight, so shall you soon repair your present evil plight. Thus having said, his sickly patience did gladly hearken to his grave behist, and kept so well his wise commandments, that in short space their melody was cease, and eek the biting of that harmful beast was thoroughly healed. Though when they did perceive their wounds recured, and forces reincreased, of that good hermit they both took their leave, and went both on their way, nor each would other leave. But each the other vowed to accompany. The lady, for that she was much in dread, now left alone in great extremity, the squire, for that he courteous was indeed, would not her leave alone in her great need, so both together travelled, till they met with a fair maiden clad in morning-weed, upon a mangy jet unmeatly set, and elued full her leading through dry and wet. But by what means that shame to her befell, and how, though of herself, she did a quite, I must a while forbear to you to tell, till that, as comes by course, I do recite what fortune to the Britain Prince did like, pursuing that proud night, the which while here wrought to Sir Calidor so foul despite. And eek his lady, though she sickly were, so lulely had abused, as ye did lately hear. The Prince, according to the former token which fair Serene to him delivered had, pursued him straight in mind to be enroken of all the wild amine and usage bad with which he had those too so ill bestowed. No right with him on that adventure went, but that wild man, whom though he oft for bad, yet for no bidding, nor for being shent, would he restrain it be from his attendement. Arriving there, as did by chance before he found the gate wide open, and in he rode, no stayed till that he came into the hall, where soft dismounting, like a weary load upon the ground with feeble feet he trod, as he unable were for very need to move one foot, but there must make abode. The wilds the salvage man did take his steed and in some stable near did set him up to feed. Air long to him a homely groom there came, that in rude wise him asked what he was, that durst so boldly without let or shame into his lord's forbidden hall to pass, to whom the Prince, him feigning to embeze, mild answer made. He was an errant night, the which was fallen into this feeble case, through many wounds which lately he in fight received it had, and prayed to pity his ill plight. But he, the more outrageous and bold, sternly did bid him quickly then savant, or dear abye, for why his lord of old did hate all errant nights which there did haunt, nor lodging wood to any of them grunt, and therefore likely bad him pack away, not sparing him with bitter words to taunt, and there with all wood hand on him did lay, to thrust him out of door, doing his worst of say. But when the salvage coming now in place beheld, after soonce he all enraged grew, and running straight upon that villain base, like a fell lion at him fiercely flew, and with his teeth and nails in present view him rudely rent, and all to pieces tore, so miserably him all helpless slew, that with the noise, whilst he did loudly roar, the people of the house rose forth in great uproar. Who went on ground they saw their fellow slain, and that same night and salvage standing by, upon them too they fell, with might and main, and on them laid so huge and horribly, as if they would have slain them presently. But the bold prince defended him so well, and their assault withstood so mightily, that morger all their might he did repel, and beat them back, whilst many underneath him fell. Yet he them still so sharply did pursue, that few of them he left alive, which fled, those evil tidings to their lord to show, who hearing how his people badly spared, came forth in haste, where when, as with the dead, he saw the ground all strode, and that same night, and salvage with their blood fresh steaming red, he walks and nigh mad, with wrath and fell despite, and with reproachful words him thus bespeak on height. Art thou he, traitor, that with trees and vile hath slain my men in this unmanly manner, and now triumphest in the pitchest sprawl of these poor folk, whose souls with black dishonour and foul defame do deck thy bloody banner? The mead whereof shall shortly be thy shame, and wretched end, which still attendeth on her? With that himself to battle he did frame, so did his forty yeoman, which there with him came. With dreadful force they all did him assail, and round about with boisterous strokes of press, that on his shield did rattle like to hail in a great tempest, that in such distress he wist not to which side him to address, and evermore that craven-coward night was at his back with heartless hedoness, waiting if he unawares him mother-might, for corridors dost still in villainy delight. Whereof when else the prince was well aware, he to him turned with furious intent, and him against his power gant to prepare like a fierce ball, that being busy bent to fight with many foes about him meant, feeling some curb behind his heels to bite, turns him about with fell avengement, so likewise turned the prince upon the night, and laid at him a mane with all his will and might. Who when he once his dreadful strokes had tasted, dost not the fury of his force abide, but turned aback, and to attire him hasted, through the thick press there thinking him to hide. But when the prince had once him playing the eyed, he foot by foot him followed all way. Nor would him suffer once to shrink aside, but joining close, huge load at him did lay, who flying still did ward, and warding fly away. But when his foe he still so eager saw unto his heels himself he did but take, hoping unto some refuge to withdraw, nor would the prince him ever fought forsake, where so he went but after him did make. He fled from room to room, from place to place, whilst every joint for dread of death did quake, still looking after him, that did him chase, that made him ever more increase his speedy pace. At last he up unto the chamber came, whereas his love was sitting all alone, waiting what tidings of her folk became. There did the prince him overtake a nun, crying in vain to her, him to bemoan, and with his sword him on his head did smite, that to the ground he fell in senseless swon, yet whether thought or flatly it did light, the tempered steel did not into his brain-pan bite. Which when the lady saw with greater fright she's starting up, began to shriek aloud, and with her garment covering him from sight, seemed under her protection him to shroud, and falling lowly at his feet, her bowed upon her knee in treating him for grace, and often him besought, and prayed and vowed, that with the roof of her so wretched case he stayed his second stroke, and did his hand abase. Who weegee then withdrawing did him discover, who now come to himself yet would not rise, but still did lie as dead and quake and quiver, that even the prince his baseness did despise, and eke his dame him seeing in such guise, gun him reconfit, and from ground to rear, who rising up at last in ghastly wise, like troubled ghosts did dreadfully appear, as one that had no life him left through form of fear. Whom when the prince so deadly saw dismayed, he for such baseness shamefully him shent, and with sharp words did bitterly upraide. While coward dog, now do I much repent that ever I this life unto the lent, whereof thou cative, so unworthy art, that both thy love, for lack of hardiment, and eke thyself, for want of manly heart, and eke all nights has shamed with this nightless part. Yet further hast thou heapered shame to shame, and crime to crime by this thy coward fear, for first it was to thee reproachful blame to erect this wicked custom, which I hear, against errant nights and ladies thou dost rear, whom when thou mayst thou dost of arms to spoil, or of their upper garment, which they wear. Yet dost thou not with manhood, but with guile maintain this evil use, thy foes thereby to foil. And lastly, in approvance of thy wrong, to show such faintness and foul cowardice, is great shame, for oft it falls that strong and valiant knights do rashly enterprise, either for fame or else for exercise, a wrongful quarrel to maintain by fight. Yet have, through prowess and their brave and prize, gotten great worship in this world's sight, for greater force there needs to maintain wrong than right. Yet since thy life unto this lady fair I give and have, live in reproach and scorn, no ever arms, no ever knighthood dare, hence to profess, for shame it is to adorn with so brave badges, one so basely borne. But only breathe, since that I did forgive, so having from his craven body torn those goodly arms, he them away did give, and only suffered him this wretched life to live. There whilst he thus was settling things above, atwing the lady-marled, and requriant night, to whom his life he granted for her love, he can bethink him in what perilous plight he had behind him left that salvaged white amongst so many foes, from sure he thought by this quite slain in so unequal fight. Therefore descending back in haste he sought if yet he were alive, or to destruction brought. There he found him environed about with slaughtered bodies, which his hand had slain, and laying yet afresh with courage stout upon the rest that did alive remain, whom he likewise right sorely did constrain like scattered sheep, to seek for safety. After he got and had with busy pain some of their weapons, which thereby did lie, with which he laid about, and made them fast to fly, whom when the prince so fairly sought to rage, approaching to him near his hand he stayed, and sought by making signs him to assuage, whom them perceiving straight to him obeyed, as to his lord, and down his weapons laid, as if he long had to his heasts been trained. Thence he him brought away, and up conveyed into the chamber, where that dame remained with her unworthy knight, who ill him entertained. Whom when the salvage saw from danger free, sitting beside his lady there at ease, he well remembered that the same was he which lately sought his lord for to displease, though all in rage he on him straight did seize, as if he would in pieces him have rent, and were not, that the prince did him appease, he had not left one limb of him on rent, but straight he held his hand at his commandment. Thus having all things well in peace ordained, the prince himself there all that nights did rest, where him Blandina fairly entertained with all the courteous glee and goodly feast, the which for him she could imagine best. For well she knew the ways to win good will of every wight, that were not to infest, and how to please the minds of good and ill, through tempering of her words and looks by wondrous skill. Yet were her words and looks but false and feigned, to some head end to make more easy way, or to allure such fondlings whom she trained into her trap and to their own decay, there too when needed she could weep and pray, and when her listed she could form and flatter, now smiling smoothly like to summer's day, now glooming sadly so to cloak her matter. Yet were her words but wind, and all her tears but water. Whether such grace were given her by kind, as women want their gulliful wits to guide, or learned the arts to please, I do not find. This well I won't, that she so well applied her pleasing tongue, that soon she pacified the raffle-prince, and wrought her husband's peace, who nevertheless not therewith satisfied his rankless despite did not release, nor secretly from thought of fell revenge suceeds. For all that night the wiles the prince did rest in careless couch, not greeting what was meant, he watched in closer weight with weapons pressed, willing to work his villainous intent on him, that had so shamefully him shent. Yet dust he not for very cowardice effect the same, whilst all the night was spent, for more next the prince did early rise, and passeth forth, to follow his first enterprise. End of Canto Six, Book Six, The Legend of Calidor Book Six, Canto Seven, The Legend of Calidor This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. Recording by Morgan Scorpion The Fairy Queen by Edmund Spencer Book Six, The Legend of Calidor Canto Seven Turpine is baffled, his two knights do gain their treasons mead. Fair Mirabella's punishment for love's disdain decreed. Like as the gentle heart itself berets, in doing gentle deeds with frank delight, even so the base of mind itself displays in cankerd malice and revengeful sprite, for to malign, to envy, to use shifting slight, the arguments of a vile dung-hill mind, which, what it dare not do by open might, to work by wicked treason ways doth find, by such discourteous deeds discovering his base kind. That well appears in this discourteous night the coward who, notwithstanding that informal fight, he of the prince his life received late, yet in his mind malicious and ingrate he gand devise to be avenged anew, for all that shame which kindled inward hate. Therefore, so soon as he was out of view, himself in haste he armed, and did him fast pursue. Well did he tract his steps, as he did ride, yet would not near approach in danger's eye, but kept aloof for dread to be described, until fit time and place he moat a spy, where he moat work him scuth and villainy. At last he met two nights to him unknown, the which were armoured both agreeably, and both combined whatever chance were blown betwixt them to divide, and each to make his own. To whom false terpine coming courteously, to cloak the mischief which he inly meant, gun to complain of great discourtesy, which a strange night that nearer for him went, had do unto him, and his dear lady shent, which if they would afford him aid at need, for to avenge in time convenient, they should accomplish both a nightly deed, and for their pains obtain of him a goodly mead. The knights believed that all he said was true, and being fresh and full of youth's fright, were glad to hear of that adventure new, in which they moat make trial of their might, which never yet they had approved in fight, and Ike Desirous of the offered mead said then the one of them, where is that white the which hath done to thee this wrongful deed, that we may it avenge and punish him with speed? He rides, said terpine, there not far a foe, with a wild man soft footing by his side, that if he lists a haste a little more, he may him overtake in timely tide, after soonce they trickered forth with forward pride, and ere that little while they ridden had, the gentle prince not far away they spied, riding a softly pace with portents sad, devising of his love more than of danger drad. Then one of them allowed unto him cried, bidding him turn again, false traitor night, foul woman-wronger, for he him defied, with that they both at once with equal spite did bend their spears, and both with equal might against him ran, but the one did miss his mark, and being carried with his force forthright, glanced swiftly by, like to that heavenly spark which gliding through the air lights all the heavens dark. But the other, aiming better, did him smite full in the shield, with so impetuous power that all his lance in pieces shivered quite, and scattered all about, fell on the floor. But the stout prince, with much more steady star, full on his beaver did him strike so sore that the cold steel through piercing did devour his vital breath, and to the ground him bore, where still he bathed lay in his own bloody gore, as when a cast of falcons make their flight, at an hern-shore, that lies aloft on wing, the wiles they strike at him with heedless might, the wary fowl his bill'd doth backward ring, on which the first, whose force her first doth bring, herself quite through the body doth engore, and falls down to ground like senseless thing, but the other, not so swift as she before, fails off her sails, and passing by doth hurt no more. By this the other, which was passed by, himself recovering, was returned to fight, where when he saw his fellow lifeless lie, he much was daunted with so dismal sight, yet nought abating of his former spite, let drive at him with so malicious mind, as if he would have passed through him quite, but the steel-head no steadfast hold could find, but glancing by, deceived him of that he designed. Not so the prince. For his well-learned spear took sure a hold, and from his horse's back above a lance's length, him forth did bear, and guns to cold hard earth so saw him strike, that all his bones in pieces nigh he break. Where seeing him so lie, he left his steed, and to him leaping vengeance sought to take of him, for all his former follies mead, with flaming sword in hand his terror more to breed. The fearful swain, beholding death so nigh, cried out aloud for mercy him to save. In lieu whereof he would to him describe, great treason to him meant his life to weave. The prince soon hearkened, and his life forgave. Then thus said he, there is a stranger night, the which for promise of great need are straved to this attempt, to wreak his hid despite, for that himself there too did want sufficient might. The prince much musered at such villainy and said, No sure you will have earned your mead, for the one is dead, and the other soon shall die, and lest to me thou hither bring with speed the wretch that hired you to this wicked deed. He glad of life, and willing each to wreak the guilt on him, which did this mischief breed, swore by his sword that neither day nor week he would so seize but him, where so he were would seek. So up he rose, and forth straight where he went, back to the place where terpen late he law. There he him found in great astonishment, to see him so bedight with bloody gall and greasely wounds that him appalled saw, yet thus at length he said, How now so night, what meaneth this which here I see before? How fortunate this foul and comely plight, so different from that which erst ye seemed in sight. Perdie said he, In evil hour it fell that ever eye for me did undertake a harder task as life for hire to sell, the which I erst adventured for your sake. Witness the wounds and this wide bloody lake which ye may see yet all about me steam, therefore now yield as ye did promise make my due reward, the which right well I deem I yearned have, this life so dearly did redeem. But where then is, cause he half wrathfully? Where is the booty which therefore I bought, that cursed Cato of my strong enemy, that requient night whose hated life I sought? And where is Eek your friend which half it ought? He lies, said he, upon the cold bare ground slain of that errant night, with whom he fought, whom afterwards myself with many a wound did slay again, as ye may see there in the stand. Thereof false turpin was full glad and feign, and needs with him straight to the place would ride, where he himself might see his foment slain, for else his fear could not be satisfied. So as they wrote he saw the way all died with streams of blood, which, tracting by the trail, ere long way came, where as an evil tide that other swaying like ashes deadly pale lay in the lap of death, luring his wretched bale. Much did the quaven seem to moan his case, that for his sake his dear life had for gone, and him bewailing with affection basted counterfeit kind pity where was none. For where as no courage there's no wuth nor moan, thence passing forth, not far away he found, where as the prince himself lay all alone, loosely displayed upon the grassy ground, possessed of sweet asleep that lulled him soft in surround. Where he of travel in his former fight, he there in shade himself had laid to rest. Having his arms and warlike things undight, fearless of foes that moat his peace molest. The whilst his salvage page, that won't be pressed, was wandered in the wood another way, to do some thing that seemed to him best. The whilst his lord in silver slumber lay, like to the evening star adorned with dewy ray. Whom when as terpen saw so loosely laid, he weaned well that he indeed was dead, like as that other night to him had said. But when he nigh approached he moat a read plain signs in him of life and livelihood, whereat much grieved against that stranger night that him too light of credence did mislead, he would have back retired from that sight that was to him on earth the deadliest despite. But that same night would not once let him start, but plainly again to him declare the case of all his mischief and lake luckless smart, how both he and his fellow there in place were vanquished and put to foul disgrace, and how that he in lieu of life him lent had vowed unto the victor him to trace and follow through the world where so he went till that he him delivered to his punishment. He therewith much abashed and afraid began to tremble every limb and vein and softly whispering him entirely prayed to advise him better than by such a train him to betray unto a stranger swain. Yet rather counseled him contrary wise, sith he likewise did wrong by him sustain, to join with him and vengeance to devise, whilst time did offer means him sleeping to surprise. Now the less for all his speech the gentle night would not be tempted to such villainy, regarding more his faith which all were it to his mortal enemy than to entrap him by false treachery. Great shame in Liege's blood to be improved, thus while as they were debating diversely, the salvage fall from out the wood esued, back to the place where his lord he sleeping viewed. There when he saw those two so near him stand he doubted much what note their meaning be and throwing down his load out of his hand to wheat great store which he had for his food late gathered from the tree himself unto his weapon he betook that was an oaken plant which lately he rent by the root which he so sternly shook that like an hazel wand it quivered and croak. Where at the prince awakening when he spied the traitor Turpin with that other knight he started up and snatching near his side his trusty sword the servant of his might like a fell lion then leaped to him light and his left hand upon his collar laid therewith the coward deaded with a fright fell flat to ground no word unto him said but holding up his hands with silence mercy prayed but he so full of indignation was that to his prayer naught he would incline but as he lay upon the humbled grass his foot he set on his vile neck in sign of servile yoke that nobler hearts repine then letting him arise like abject thrall he gunned to him object his heinous crime and to revile and rate and requriant call and lastly to the spoil of nightly banneryl and after all for greater infamy he by the heels him hung upon a tree and baffled so that all which passed by the picture of his punishment might see and by the light example warned be however they through treason do trespass but turn we now back to that lady free whom late we left riding upon an ass led by a carl and fool which by her side did pass she was a lady of great dignity and lifted up to honorable place famous throughout all the land of fairy though of mean parentage and kindred base yet debt with wondrous gifts of nature's grace that all men did her person much admire and praised the feature of her goodly face the beams were off did kindle lovely fire in the hearts of many a night and many a gentle squire but she thereof grew proud and insolent that none she worthy thought to be her fair but scorned them all that love unto her meant yet was she loved of many a worthy peer unworthy she to be beloved so dear that could not way of worthiness a right for beauty is more glorious bright and clear the more it is admired of many a white and noblest she that serve it is of noblest night but this coy damsel thought contrary wise that such proud looks would make her praise it more and such the more she did all love despise the more would wretched lovers her adore what cared she who sighed for her soul or who did wail or watch the weary night yet them that list their luckless lot deplore she was born free not bound to any white and so would ever live and love her own delight through such her stubborn stiffness and hard heart many a wretch for want of remedy did languish long in life consuming smart and at the last through dreary dollar die while she the lady of her liberty did boast her beauty had such sovereign might that with the only twinkle of her eye she could or save or spill whom she would height what could the gods do more but do it more a right but lo the gods that mortal folly's view did worthily revenge this maidens pride and nought regarding her so goodly you did laugh at her that many did deride while she did weep of noma and merciful for on a day when cupid kept his court as he is wont at each saint Valentine and to the which all lovers do resort that of their love successes there they make report that when the rolls were read in which the names of all lovesfolk were filed that many there were missing which were dead or kept in bands or from their loves exiled or by some other violence despoiled which when as cupid heard he wexed wroth and doubting to be wronged or beguiled he bat his eyes to be unblindfold both that he might see his men and muster them by oath then found he many missing of his crew which wanted his suit and service to his might of whom what was becoming noman knew therefore a jury was impaneled straight to inquire of them whether by force or slate or their own guilt they were away conveyed to whom foul infamy and foul despite gave evidence that they were all betrayed and murdered crawly by a rebellious maid fair Mirabella was her name whereby of all those crimes she there indicted was all which when cupid heard he buy and buy in great displeasure while the capious should issue forth to attach that scornful lass the warrant straight was made and there with all a bailiff errant forth in posted pass whom they by name their portamorted call he which doth summon lovers to love's judgment hall the damsel was attached and shortly brought unto the bar whereas she was arraigned but she there told not plead nor answer ought even for stubborn pride which her restrained so judgment passed as is by law ordained in cases like which when at last she saw her stubborn heart which loved before disdained gone stoop and falling down with humble awe quite mercy to abate the extremity of law the son of Venus who is mild by kind but where he is provoked with peevishness and to her prayers prettiously inclined and did the rigor of his doom repress yet not so freely but that now the less he unto her appennance did impose which was that through this world's wide wilderness she wonder should in company of those till she had saved so many loves as she did lose so now she had been wandering two whole years throughout the world in this uncommonly case wasting her goodly hue in heavy tears and her good days in dolerous disgrace yet had she not in all these two years space saved but two yet in two years before through her despiteous pride whilst love lacked place she had destroyed two and twenty more I me how could her love make half a men's therefore and now she was upon the weary way when as the gentle squire with fares of Vini met her in such misseeming foul array though whilst that mighty man did her demean with all the evil terms and cruel mean that he could make an eek that angry fool which followed her with cursed hands unclean whipping her horse did with his smarting tool off whip her dainty self and much augment her doom for aught it moat avail her to entreat the one or the other better her to use for both so willful were an obstinate that all her piteous plank they did refuse but rather did the more her beat and bruise but most the form of villain which did lead her tiling jade was bent her to abuse who though she were with weariness nigh dead yet would not let her light nor rest a little stead for he was stern and terrible by nature and eek of person huge and hideous exceeding much the measure of man's stature and rather like a giant monstrous for sooth he was descended of the house of those old giants which did wars to reign against the heaven in order battle us and sipped to great orgoglio which was slain by Arthur when as eunus night he did maintain his looks were dreadful and his fiery eyes like two great beacons glared bright and wide glancing askew as if his enemies he scorned in his overweening pride and stalking stately like a crane did stride at every step upon the tiptoe's high and all the way he went on every side he gazed about and stared horribly as if he with his looks would all men terrify he wore no armour no fornunded care as no witch dreading any living white but in a jacket quilted richly rare on checklaton he was strangely tight and on his head a roll of linen flight like to the moors of Malibur he wore rich with his locks as black as pitchy night were bound about and voided from before and in his hand a mighty iron club he bore this was disdain who led that lady's horse through thick and thin through mountains and through plains compelling her where she would not by force hailing her by the hemp and rains but that same fool which most increased her pains was scorn who having in his hand a whip her there with irks and still when she complains the more he laughs and does her closely quip to see her sore lament and bite her tendered lip whose cruel handling when that squire beheld and saw those villains her so wildly use his gentle heart with indignation swelled and could no longer bear so great abuse as such a lady so to beat and bruise but to him stepping such a stroke him lent that forced him the halter from his hand to lose and morgue all his might back to a lent else had he surely there been slain or fairly shent the villain both for greeting him so sore gathered himself together soon again and with his iron baton which he bore let drive at him so dreadfully amain that for his safety he did him constrain to give him ground and shift to every side rather than once his burden to sustain for brookless thing him seemed to abide so mighty blows or prove the precance of his pride like as a mastiff having at a bay a solridge ball whose cruel horns do threat desperate danger if he them say traceth his ground and round about doth beat to spy where he may some advantage get though whilst the beast doth rage and loudly roar so did the squire though whilst the carl did fret and fume in his disdainful mind the more and often times by termigant and Mahon swore nevertheless so sharply still him pursued that at advantage him at last he took when his foot slipped that slip he dearly rude and with his iron club to ground him struck where still he lay no out of soon awoke till heavy hand the carl upon him laid and bound him fast though when he up did look and saw himself captive he was dismayed nor power had to withstand nor hope of any aid then up he made him rise and fall would fair led in a rope which both his hands did bind nor ought that fall for pity did him spare but with his whip him following behind him often scourged and forced his feet to find and other whilst with bitter mocks and moes he would him scourn that to his gentle mind was much more grievous than the others blows words sharply wound but greatest grief of scourning grows the fair Serena when she saw him fall under that villain's club then surely thought that slain he was or made a wretched thrall and fled away with all the speed she sought to seek for safety which long time she sought and passed too many perils by the way again to Calipine was brought the witch discourse as now I must delay till Mirabella's fortunes I do further say End of Canto 7 Book 6 The Legend of Calidor Book 6 Canto 8 This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Nathan at antipodeanwriter.wordpress.com The Fairy Queen by Edmund Spenser Book 6 The Legend of St. Calidor Canto 8 Prince Arthur overcomes disdain quits Mirabelle from dreed Serena found of salvages by Calipine is freed Ye gentle ladies in whose sovereign power love hath the glory of his kingdom lift and the hearts of men as your eternal dower in iron chains of liberty bereft delivered hath into your hands by gift be well aware how ye the same do use that pride do not to tyranny you lift least if men you of cruelty accuse ye from you take that chieftain which ye do abuse and as ye soft and tender are by kind adorned with goodly gifts of beauty's grace so be ye soft and tender eek in mind but cruelty and hardness from you chase that all your other praises will deface and from you turn the love of men to hate in sample take of Mirabelle's case by degree of happy state fell him to wretched woes which she repented late for after thrall them of the gentle squire which she beheld with lamentable eye was touched with compassion in tire and much lamented his calamity that for her sake fell into misery which booted nought for prayers nor for threat to hopeful to release or mollify for ay the more she did them entreat the more they him misused and cruelly did beat so as they forward on their way did pass him still reviling and afflicting sore they met Prince Arthur with Sir Enneas that was that courteous night whom he before having subdued yet did to life restore to whom as they approached they began augment their cruelty and him to punish more scourging and hailing him more vehement as if at them should grieve to see his punishment the squire himself when as he saw his lord the witness of his wretchedness in place was much ashamed that with an hempen cord he like a dog was led in captive case and did his head for bashfulness abase as loth to see or to be seen at all shame would be hid but when Enneas beheld to such of to such villains thrall his manly mind was much moved therewithal and to the Prince thus said see you sir night the greatest shame that ever I yet saw yonder lady and her squire with foul despite abused against all reason and all law with out regard of pity or of awe see how they do that squire beaten while see how they do the lady hail and draw but if he please to lend me leave a while I will them soon a quit and both of blame a soil the Prince assented and then he straightway dismounting light his shield about him through with which approaching thus he began to say abide ye Katie of treachery untrue that have with trees and thrall unto you these to unworthy of wretched vans and now your crime with penalty pursue abide and from them lay your loathly hands or else abide the death that hard before you stands the villain stayed not answer to invent but with his iron club a preparing way his mind said message back unto him sent the which descended with such dreadful sway that seemed not the course thereof could stay more than lightning from the lofty sky he list the night the power thereof assay his doom was death but lightly slipping by unwares defrauded his intended destiny and to requite him with the like again with his sharp sword he fiercely at him flew and struck so strongly that the carl with pain saved himself but that he there him slew yet save not so but that the man drew and gave his foe good hope of victory who therewith fleshed upon him set anew and with the second stroke thought certainly to have supplied the first and paid the usury but fortune answered not unto his call for as his hand was heaved up on height the villain met him in the middle form and with his club bet back his bronze iron bright so forcibly that man's might re-beaten back upon himself again he driven was to ground in self-despite from whence air he recovery could gain he in his neck had set his foot with felt stain with that the fool which did that end await came running in and wildest on ground he lay laid heavy hands on him and held so straight that down he kept him with his scornful sway so as he could not world him the wiles that other villain went about him to have bound and thralled without delay the wiles the fool did him revile and flout threatening to yoke them tower and tame their courage stout as when a sturdy plowman with his hind by strength have overthrown a stubborn steer they down him hold and fast with cords do mind till they him force the buxom yoke to bear so did these two this night off tug and tear which when the prince beheld there standing by he left his lofty steed to aid him near and buckling soon himself again fiercely fly upon that car to save his friend from jeopardy the villain leaving him unto his mate to be captive and handled as he list himself addressed unto this new debate and with his club him all about so blissed that he which way to turn him scarcely whisked sometimes a lofty laid sometimes a low now here now there and often near he missed so doubtfully that hardly one could know whether more wary were to give or ward the blow but yet the prince so well endured was with such huge strokes approved often fight that way to them he gave forth right to pass and he would sure the danger of their might but weight advantage when they down did light at last the captive after long discourse when all his strokes he saw avoided quite resolved in one to assemble all his force and make one end of him without roof or remorse his dreadful hand he heaved up a loft and with his dreadful instrument of ire thought sure have pounded him powder soft or deep him bowed him in the earth entire but fortune did not with his will conspire for air his stroke attained his intent the noble child preventing his desire under his club with wary boldness went and smote him on the knee that never yet was bent it never yet was bent and he bent it now albeit the stroke so strong and pwissant were that seemed pillar it could bow but all that leg which did his body bear it cracked throughout yet did no blood appear so as it was unable to support so huge a burden on such broken gear but fell to ground like to a lump of dirt whence he assayed to rise but could not for his hurt if soonce the prince to him for nimbly stepped and leased he should recover foot again his head meant from his shoulders wept which when the lady saw she cried a main stay stay so night for love of God abstain from that unwares ye weakless do intend slay not that coal though worthy to be slain for more on him doth then himself depend my life will by his death have lamentable end he stayed his hand according her desire yet neither more him suffered to arise but still suppressing gann to inquire what meaning moat those uncouth words comprise that in that villains help her safety lies that were no mighty man no heart in nights which does her dreaded rescue enterprise yet heavens themselves that favor feeble rights would for itself redress and punish such despites then bursting forth in tears which gushed fast like many water streams a while she stayed till her sharp passion being over past her tongue to her restored then thus she said nor heavens nor men can me most wretched mate deliver from the doom of my desert the witch the God of love hath on me laid and damned to endure this direful smart for penance of my proud and hard rebellious heart in prime of youthly years when first the flower of beauty began to bud and blossom delight and nature me endured with plentyous dour of all her gifts that pleased each living sight I was beloved of many a gentle night and sued and sought with all the service due for many a one for me deep groaned in sight and to the door of death the sorrow drew complaining out on me that would let them love that list or live or die me list not die for any lovers do me list me leave my loved liberty to pity him that list to play the fool to love myself I learned had in school thus I triumphed long in lovers pain and sitting careless on the scornful stool did laugh at those that did lament and plain but all is now repaid with interest again below the winged god that wounded hearts caused me be called to comped therefore and for revengement of those wrongful smarts which I to others did inflict before a demon me to endure this penance sore that in this wise and this unmeat array with these two loot companions and no more disdain and scorn I through the world should stray till I have saved so many as I urged did slay Sertes said then the prince the god is just that taketh vengeance of his people's spoil for were no law and love but all that lust might demo press and painfully turmoil his kingdom would continue but a while but tell me lady wherefore do you bear this bottle thus before you with such toil and eek this thought at your back a rear that for these cars to carry much more currently were you in this bottle say to the sorry made I put the tears of my contrition till to the brim I have it full defrade and in this bag which I behind me done I put repentance for things past and gone it is the bottle leaked and bag so torn that all which I put in falls out and on and is behind me trodden down of scorn who mocketh all my pain and laughs the more I mourn the infant harkened wisely to her tail and wondered much at cupid's judgment wise that could so meekly make proud hearts avail and reek himself on them that him despise and suffered he disdain up to arise who was not able up himself to rear by means his leg through his late luckless prize was cracked in twain but by his foolish fear was holpen up who him supported standing near but being up he looked again aloft as if he never had received fall and with stern eyebrows stared at him off as if he would have daunted him with all and standing on his tiptoes to seem tall down on his golden feet he often amazed as if such pride the other could appall who was so far from being ought amazed that he his looks despised and his boast dispraised and turning back unto that captive thrall who all this while stood there beside them bound unwilling to be known or seen at all he from those bands win him to have unwound but when approaching near he plainly his own true groom the gentle squire he there at waxed exceedingly astound and him did oft embrace and oft admire he could with seeing satisfy his great desire meanwhile the salvage man when he beheld that huge great fool oppressing the other knight and with his weight unweldy down he held he flew upon him like a greedy kite unto some carrion and down him plucking with his nails and teeth again him to hail and tear and scratch and bite and from him taking his own whip therewith so saw him scourgeeth that the blood down followeth and sure I win had not the ladies cry procured the prince his cruel hand to stay he would with whipping him have done to die but being checked he did abstain away and let him rise then thus the prince scan say now lady sith your fortunes thus dispose that if ye list have liberty ye may unto yourself I freely leave to choose whether I shall you leave or from these villains lose are nay so knight sage she it may not be but that I needs must by all means fulfill this penance which enjoined it is to me least unto me betide a greater ill yet no less thanks to you for your good will so humbly taking leave she turned aside but Arthur with the rest went onward still on his first quest in which did him betide a great adventure which did him from them divide but first it falleth me by course to tell a fair Serena who as you heard when first the gentle squire at variance fell with those two carls fled fast away a feared a villainy to be to her in fear so fresh the image of her former dread yet dwelling in her eye to her appeared that every foot did tremble which did tread and every body to and to she for did read through hills and dales through bushes and through braves long thus she fled till that at last she thought herself now past the peril of her fears then looking round about and seeing nought which doubt of danger to her author she from her palp relighted on the plane and sitting down herself a while be thought of her long travel and to moiling pain and often did of love an oft of luck and evermore she blamed calipine the good sir calipine her own true night as the only author of her woeful time for being of his love to her so light as her to leave in such a piteous plight yet never turtle truer to his make then he was tried unto his lady bright who all this while endured for her sake great peril of his life and restless pains did take though when as all her plants she had displayed and well disburdened her and grieved breast upon the grass herself a down she laid where being tired with travel and oppressed with sorrow she betook herself to rest there whilst in morpheus bosom safe she lay fearless abort that moat her peace false fortune did her safety betray and to a strange mischance that menenced her decay in these wild deserts where she now abode there dwelt a salvage nation which did live of stealth and spoil and making nightly road into their neighbors borders needed give themselves to any trade as for to drive the painful foul or cattle for to breed or by adventures merchandise to thrive but on the labors of poor men to feed and serve their own necessities with others need there too they used one most accursed order to eat the flesh of men whom they might find and strangers to devour which on their border were brought by error or by wreck for monstrous cruelty against course of kind they towards evening wandering every way to seek for beauty came by fortune blind for as this lady like a sheep astray now drowned in the depth of sleep or fearless lay soon as they spied her lord what gladful glee they made amongst themselves but when her face like the fair ivory shining see each Gann his fellow solace and embrace for joy of such good hap by heavenly grace they Gann they to devise what course to take whether to slay her there upon the place or suffer her out of her sleep to wake and then her eat at once or many meals to make the best advisement was of bad to let her sleep out her fill without encumberment for sleep they said would make her battle better then when she wait they all gave one consent that since by grace of God she there was sent unto their God they would her sacrifice who share her guiltless blood they would present but of her dainty flesh they did devise to make a common feast and feed with German dies so round about her they themselves did place upon the grass and diversely disposed as each thought best to spend the lingering space some with their eyes the daintest morsels chose some praise her perhaps some praise her lips and nose some wet their knives and strip their elbows bare the priest himself a garland doth compose of finest flowers and with full busy care his bloody vessels wash and holy fire prepare the damsel wakes then all at once up start and round about her flock like many flies whooping and hallowing on every part as if they would have rent the brazen skies which when she sees with ghastly griefful eyes her heart does quake and deadly pallid hue be nums her cheeks then out allowed she cries where none can deny to hear that will her room and rends her golden locks and snowy breasts in brew but all boots not they hands upon her lay and first they spoil her of her jewels dear and afterwards of all her rich array the which amongst them they in pieces tear and of the prey each one apart doth bear now being naked to their sordid eyes of nature appear which as they view with lustful fantasies it's wish it to himself and to the rest envies her ivory neck her alabaster breast her paps which like white silken pillows were for love in soft delight thereon to rest her tender sides her belly white and clear which like an altar did itself up prayer to offer sacrifice divine thereon her goodly thighs his glory did appear like a triumphal arch and thereupon the spoils of princes hanged which were in battle one those dainty parts the darlings of delight which moat not be profaned of common eyes those villains viewed with loose lascivious sight and closely tempted with their crafty spies some of them gain monks to themselves devise thereof by force to take their beastly pleasure but then the priest rebuking did advise to dare not to pollute so sacred treasure vowed to the gods religion held even thieves in measure so being stayed they her from thence directed unto a little grove not far aside closely they erected to slay her on and now the even tide his brode black wings had through the heavens wide by this to spread that was the time ordained for such a dismal deed their guilt to hide of few green turfs an altar soon they feigned and decked it all with flowers which they now hand obtained his ready were a right the damsel was before the altar set being already dead with fearful fright to whom the priest with naked arms full net approaching nigh and murderous knife well wet gan mutter close a certain secret charm with other devilish ceremonies met which doon he gan aloft to advance his arm were at they shouted to shrill and made allowed alarm then gan the bagpipes and the horns to shrill and shriek allowed that with the people's voice confused did the air with terror fill and made the wood to tremble at the noice the wiles she wailed the more they did rejoice now moat ye understand that to this grove so calipine by chance self same evening fortune heather drove as he to seek serena through the woods did rove long had he sorter and through many a soil had traveled still on foot in heavy arms ne'ort was tired with his endless toils ne'ort was feared of his certain arms and now all wheatless of the wretched storms in which his love was lost he slept all fast till being waked with these loud alarms he lightly started up like one aghast and catching up his arms straightened to the noise forth past thereby the uncertain glimpse of starry night and by the twinkling of their sacred fire he moat perceive a little dawning sight of all which there was doing in that choir next whom a woman spoiled of all attire he spied lamenting her unlucky strife and groaning sore from grieved heart attire if soon he saw one with a naked knife ready to lance her breast and let out loved life with that he thrusts into the thickest throng and even as his right hand down descends whom preventing lays on earth along and sacrifice to the infernal fiends then to the rest his rothful hand he bends of whom he makes such havoc and such hue that swarms of damned souls to hell he sends the rest that scape his sword and death eschew fly like a flock of doves before a falcon's view then returning to that lady back whom by the altar he doth sitting find yet fearing death and next to death the lack of clothes to cover what they ought by kind he first her hands beginneth to unbind and then to question of her present woe and afterwards to cheer with speeches kind but she for naught that he could say or do one word durst speak to him a wit there too so inward shame of her uncomely case she did conceive through care of womanhood that though the night did cover her disgrace yet she in so unwominly a mood would not berate the state in which she stood so all that night to him unknown she passed but day that doth discover bad and good ensuing made her known to him at last the end whereof I'll keep until another cast End of Canto 8 Book 6 The Legend of Saint Calador Recorded by Nathan at antipodeanwriter.wordpress.com Book 6 Canto 9 The Legend of Calador This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Morgan Scorpion The Fairy Queen by Edmund Spencer Book 6 The Legend of Calador Canto 9 Calador hosts with Calador and loves fair pastoral. Calador envies him yet he for ill rewards him well. Now turn again my team thou jolly swing back to the furrow which I lately left I lately left a furrow one or twain unplowed the which my cultor hath not cleft yet seemed the soil both fair and fruitful eft as I it passed that were too great a shame the fruit should be from us bereft beside the great dishonour and a fame which should be full to Calador's immortal name. Great travel hath the gentle Calador and toil endured since I left him last sowing the blatant beast which I forbore to finish then for other present haste full many paths and perils he hath passed through hills, through dales through forests and through plains and that same quest which fortune on him cast which he achieved to his own great gains reaping eternal glory of his restless pains. So sharply he the monster did pursue that day nor night he suffered him to rest nor rested he himself but natures due for dread of danger not to be redressed. If he foresloth foreslat so famous quest him first from court and from the cities to the towns him pressed and from the towns into the country forced and from the country back to private farms he scourced from thence into the open fields he fled whereas the herds were keeping of their neat and shepherds singing to their flocks that fed lays of sweet love and youths delightful heat him did the eek for all his fearful threat he followed fast that to the foals where sheep at night do seat and to the little cots where shepherds lie in winter's wrathful time he forced him to fly there on a day as he pursued the chase he chanced to spy a sort of shepherd grooms playing on pipes and cowering a pace the wilds their beasts there in the bodied grooms beside them fed and nipped the tender blooms for other worldly wealth they carried naught to whom Sir Calador yet sweating comes and them to tell him courteously besought if such a beast they saw which he had thither bought they answered him that no such beast they saw nor any wicked fiend that might offend their happy flocks nor danger to them draw but if that such there were as none they can'd they prayed high god him far from them to send then one of them him seeing so to sweat after his rustic wise that while he winged offered him drink to quench his thirsty heat and if he hungry were him offered eek to eat the night was nothing nice where was no need and took their gentle offer so adorned they prayed him sit and gave him fort of feed such homely watt as serves the simple clown that doth despise the dainties of the town though having fed his fill he there beside saw a fair damsel which did wear a crown of sundry flowers with silken ribbons tied a clad in homemade green that her own hands had died upon a little hillock she was placed higher then all the rest and round about environed with a garland goodly graced of lovely lasses and them all without the lusty shepherd swaying sat in and out the witch did pipe and sing her praises due and oft rejoice and oft bewonder shout as if some miracle of heavenly hue were down to them descended in that earthly view and soothly sure she was full fair of face and perfectly well shaped in every limb which she did more augment with modest grace and comely carriage of her countenance trim that all the rest like lesser lamps did dim who her admiring as some heavenly white did fall their sovereign goddess her esteem and cowling her name both day and night the fairest pastorella her by name did height nor was the herd nor was their shepherd's sway but her did honour and eek many a one burnt in her love and with sweet pleasing pain full many a night for her did sigh and groan but most of all the shepherd corridor for her did languish and his dear life spend yet neither she for him nor other one did care a wit nor any liking lend though mean her lot yet higher did her mind ascend her while Sir Calador their view ad well and marked her rare demeanor which him seemed so far the mean of shepherds to excel as that he in his mind her worthy deemed to be a prince's paragon esteemed he was unaware surprised in subtle bands of the blind boy nor thence could be redeemed by any skill out of his cruel hands court like the bird which gazing still on other's stands so stood he still long gazing there upon nor any will had thence to move away although his quest was far for him gone but after he had fed yet did he stay and sate there still until the flying day was far forth spent discussing diversely of sundry things as well to work delay and evermore his speech he did apply to the herds but meant them to the damsel's fantasy by this the moisty night approaching fast her dewy humour gone on the earth to shed that warned the shepherds to their homes to haste their tender flocks now being fully fed for fear of wetting them before their bed then came to them a good old aged sire whose silver locks bedecked his beard and head with shepherds hook in hand and fit attire that wild the damsel rise the day now did expire that willed the damsel rise the day did now expire he was to wheat by common voice esteemed the father of the fairest pastoral and of herself in very deed so deemed yet was not so but as old stories tell found her by fortune which to him befell the fields an infant left alone and taking up brought home and nursed well as his own child for other he had none that she in tract of time accounted was his own she at his bidding meekly did arise and straight unto her little flock did fare that all the rest about her rose likewise and each his sundry sheep with several care gathered together and them home would bear whilst every one with helping hands would strive amongst themselves and did their labour's share to help fair pastorella home to drive her fleecy flock but Corridon most helped it give but Mellobow so height that good old man now seeing Calidor left all alone and night arrived hard at hand began him to invite unto his simple home which though it were a cottage clad with loam and all things there in mean yet better so to lodge the salvage fields to Rome the night full gladly soon agreed there too being his heart's own wish and home with him did go there he was welcomed of that honest sire and of his aged beldum homely well who him besought himself to disattire and rest himself till supper time befell for which home came the fairest pastorella after her flock she in their fold had tied right they too had fell with smaller do and nature satisfied the witch doth little quave contented to abide though when they had their hunger sacred well and the faire made the table tane away the gentle night as he that did excel in courtesy and well could do and say for so great kindness as he found that day Gann greatly thank his host and his good wife and drawing thence his speech another way Gann highly to commend the happy life which shepherds led without debate or bitter strife how much said he more happy is the state in which you father here do dualities leading a life so free and fortunate from all the tempests of these worldly seas which toss the rest in dangerous disease where wars and wrecks and wicked enmity do them afflict which no man can appease that 30s are your happiness envy and wish my lot were placed in such felicity surely my son then answered he again if happy then it is in this intent that having small yet do I not complain of want nor wish for more to it augment but do myself with that I have content so taught of nature which doth little need of foreign helps to life due nourishment the fields my food my flock my raiment breed no better do I wear no better do I feed therefore I do not anyone envy nor am envied of anyone therefore they that have much fear much to lose thereby and store of cares doth follow riches store the little that I have grows daily more without my care but only to attend it my lambs do every year increase their score and my flocks farther daily doth amend it what have I but praise the Almighty that doth send it to them that list the world's gay shows I leave and to great ones such follies do forgive which oft through pride do their own peril weave and through ambition down themselves to drive to sad decay that might contentedly live me no such cares nor cumbers thoughts offend nor wants my minds unmovered quiet grieve but all the night in silver sleep I spend and all the day to what I list I do attend sometimes I hunt the fox the vowed foe unto my lambs and him dislodge away sometimes the fawn I practice from the doe or from the goat her kid how to convey another while I baits and nets display the birds to catch or fishes to beguile and when I weary am I down do lay my limbs in every shade to rest from toil and drink of every brook when thirst my throat doth boil the time was once in my first prime of years when pride of youth forth-trickered my desire that I disdained among mine equal peers to follow sheep and shepherds base attire for further fortune then I would inquire and leaving home to royal court I sought where I did sell myself and in the prince's garden daily wrought there I beheld such vainness as I never thought with sight whereof soon cloyed and long deluded with idle hopes which them do entertain after I had ten years myself excluded from native home and spent my youth in vain I gun my follies to myself to plain and this sweet peace whose lack did then appear though back returning to my sheep again I from thence forth have learned to love more dear this lowly quiet life which I inherit here whileest thus he talked the night with greedy ear hung still upon his melting mouth-attent whose sensible words impeaced his heart so near that he was wrapped with double ravishment but of his speech that wrought him great content and also of the object of his view on which his hungry eye was always bent that tricks his pleasing tongue to her fair hue he lost himself and like one half entranced grew yet to occasion means to work his mind and to insinuate his heart's desire he thus replied now surely sire I find that all this world's gay shows which we admire be but vain shadows to this safe retire of life which here in lowliness ye lead fearless of foes of fortunes wrackful ire dread the mighty ones afraid of every challenges dread that even I which daily do behold the glory of the great amongst whom I won and now have proved what happiness ye hold in this small plot of your dominion now loath great lordship and ambition and which the heavens so much had graced me as grant me live in like condition or that my fortunes might transposed be from pitch of higher place I agree in vain said then, old Melibol do men the heavens of their fortunes fault accuse since they know best what is the best for them for they to each such fortune do defuse as they do know each can most aptly use for not that which men covet most is best nor that thing worst which men do most refuse, but fittest is that all contented rest with that they hold fortune in his breast it is the mind that make is good or ill that make is rich or happy rich or poor for some that have abundance as his will have not enough but once in greatest store and other that hath little asks no more but in that little is both rich and wise for wisdom is most riches fools therefore they are which fortunes do by vows devise sith each unto himself his life may fortuneize since then in each man's self said Caledor it is to fashion his own life's estate give leave a while good father in this short of rest my bark which hath been beaten late with storms of fortune and tempestuous fate in seas of troubles and of toilsome pain that whether quite from them for to retreat I shall resolve or back to turn again I may hear with yourself some small repose obtain not that the burden of so bold a guest shall chargeful be or charge to you at all for your mean food shall be my daily feast and this your cabin both my bow and haul besides for recompense hereof I shall you well reward and golden girdon give that may perhaps you better much with all and in this quiet make you safer live so forth he drew much gold and toward him it drive but the good man not tempted with the offer of his rich mould did thrust it far away and thus bespake so night your banter's proffer be far from me to whom ye ill display that mucky mass the cause of men's decay that moat and pear my peace with dongers dread but if he all gets covered to assay this simple sort of life that shepherds lead be it your own or rudeness to yourself a reed so there that night Talador did dwell and long while after whilst him list remain daily beholding the fair pastoral and feeding on the bait of his own bane during which time he did her entertain with all kind courtesies he could invent and every day her company to gain when to the field she went he with her went so forth to quench his fire he did it more augment but she that never had a quaint it being such quaint usage fit queens and kings never had such nightly service seen but being bred under base shepherd's wings had ever learned to love the lowly things did little wit regard his courteous guys but cared more for Colin's cowlings than all that he could do or ever devise his lays his loves his looks she did them all despise which Calador perceiving thought it best to change the matter of his lofty look and doffing his bright arms himself dressed in shepherd's weed and in his hand he took instead of steel head spear a shepherd's hook that he who had seen him then would have be thought on Phrygian Paris by Flexipus Brook when he the love of fair Oynoni sought what time the golden apple was unto him brought so being clad unto the fields he went with the fair pastorella every day and kept her sheep with diligent attempt for whilst at pleasure she moat sport and play and every evening helping them to fold and other whilst for need he did a say in his strong hand their rugged teats to hold and out of them to press the milk love so much could which seeing Corridon who her likewise long time had loved and hoped her loved again he much was troubled at that strangers' guise and many jealous thoughts conceived in vain that this of all his labour and long pain should reap the harvest ere it ripened were that made him scowl and pout and oft complain of pastorella to all the shepherds there that she did love a stranger swain then him more dear and ever when him came in company where Colidon was present he would law and bite his lip and even for jealousy was ready off his own heart to devour impatient of any power more who on the other side did seem so far from malicing or grudging his good hour that all he could he graced him with her and ever showed sign of rancour or of jar and oft when Corridon unto her brought or little sparrows stolen from their nest or wanton squirrels in the woods far sought or other dainty thing for her addressed he would commend his gift and make the best yet she no wit his presence did regard nor him could find to fancy in her breast this new-come shepherd had his market marred old love is little worth when new is more preferred one day when as the shepherd swains together were met to make their sports and merry glee as they are wanton fair sun-shiny weather the wilds their flocks and shadows shrouded be they fell to dance then did they all agree that Colin Clout should pipe as one more fit and Calador should lead the ring as he that most in pastorellas Grace did sit there at front Corridon and his lip closely bit but Calador of Curtis inclination took Corridon and set him in his place that he should lead the dance as were his fashion for Corridon could dance and trimly trace and when as pastorella him to Grace her flowery garland took from her own head and placed on his he did it soon displace and did it put on Corridon's instead then Corridon walks frolic that erst seems dead another time when as they did disposed to practice games and maesteries to try they thought their judge did pastorella chose a garland was the mead of victory their Corridon forth stepping openly did challenge Calador to wrestling game for he through long and perfect industry therein well practiced was and in the same thought sure to avenge his grudge his foe great shame but Calador he greatly did mistake for he was strong and mightily stiff pite that with one fall his neck he almost break and had he not upon him fallen light his dearest joint he sure had broken quite then was the open crown by pastorella given to Calador as his due right but he that did in courtesy excel gave it to Corridon and said he won it well thus did the gentle knight himself a bear among that rustic route in all his deeds that even they the which his rivals were could not malign him but commend him needs for courtesy among the rudest breeds goodwill and favour so it surely wrought with this fair maid and in her mind the seeds of perfect love did so that last forth brought the fruit of joy and bliss though long time dearly bought thus Calador continued there long time to win the love of the fair pastorella which having got he used it without crime or blameful blot but managed so well that he of all the rest which there did dwell was favoured and to her grace commended but what strange fortunes unto him befell as he attained the point by him intended shall more conveniently in other place be ended end of canto nine book six the legend of Calador book six canto ten the legend of Calador this is a Librivox recording all Librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Librivox.org Recording by Morgan Scorpion The Fairy Queen by Edmund Spencer book six the legend of Calador canto ten Calador sees the grace's dance to Colin's melody though whilst his pastorella is led into captivity who now does follow the foul blatant beast whilst Calador does follow that fair maid unmindful of his vow and high behest which by the fairy queen was on him laid that he should never leave nor be delayed from chasing him till he had had achieved now entrapter of love which him betrayed he mindeth more how he may be relieved with grace from her whose love his heart hath saw and grieved that from henceforth he means no more to sow his former quest so full of toil and pain another quest another game in view he hath the garden of his love to gain with whom he minds for ever to remain and set his rest among the rustic sort rather than hunt till after shadows vane of corky favour fed with light report of every blast and sailing always on the port Nostratis moat he greatly blamed be from so high step to stoop unto so low for who had tasted once as oft did he the happy peace which there doth overflow and proved the perfect pleasures which do grow amongst poor hines in hills, in woods, in dales would never more delight in painted show of such false bliss as there is set for stales to entrap unwearly fools in their eternal bails for what hath all that goodly glorious gaze like to one sight which Calador did view the glancewear of their dimmered eyes would daze that never more they should endure the shoe of that sunshine that maketh them look askew nor ought in all that world of beauties rare save only glorianas heavenly you to which what can compare can it compare the which as cometh now by course I will declare one day as he did range the fields abroad whilst his fair pastorella was elsewhere he chanced to come far from all people's trod unto a place whose pleasant did appear to pass all others on the earth which were for all that ever was by nature's skill devised to work delight was gathered there and thereby her were poured forth at fill as if this to adorn she all the rest did pill it was an hill placed in an open plain that roundabout was bordered with a wood of matchless height that seemed the earth to disdain in which all trees of honour stately stood and did all winter as in summer but spreading pavilions for the birds to bow which in their lower branches sung aloud and in their tops the soaring hawk did tar sitting like king of fowls in majesty and power and at the foot thereof a gentle flood his silver waves did softly tumble down unmarred with ragged moss or filthy mud nor moat wild beasts nor moat the ruderclown there to approach nor filth moat there in drown but nymphs and fairies by the banks did sit in the wood's shade which did the water's crown sings away from it and to the water's fall turning their accents fit and on the top thereof a spacious plain did spread itself to serve to all delight either to dance when they to dance would feign nor else to course about their bases light nor ought their wanted which for pleasure might desire would be or thence to banish bale so pleasantly the hill with equal height did seem to overlook the lowly bale therefore it rightly clipped was Mount Acidale they say that Venus when she did dispose herself to pleasant used to resort unto this place and therein to repose and rest herself as in a gladsome port or with the graces there to play and sport that even her own citheron though in it she used most to keep her royal court and in her sovereign majesty to sit she in regard hereof refused and thought unfit unto this place when as the elf in night approached him seemed that the merry sound of a shrill pipe he playing heard on height and many feet fast thumping the hollow ground that through the woods their echo did rebound he nigh a drew to wheat what moat it be there he a troop of ladies dancing found full merrily and making gladful glee and in the midst a shepherd piping he did see he does not enter into the open green for dread of them unawares to be described for breaking of their dance if he were seen but in the covert of the wood did bide beholding all yet of them unespide there he did see that please at much his sight that even he himself his eyes envied and hundred naked maidens lily-white all ranged in a ring and dancing in delight all they without were rung it in a ring and dance it round but in the midst of them three other ladies did both dance and sing though whilst the rest them round about did hem and like a girl and did in compass stem and in the midst of those same three was placed another damsel as a precious gem amidst a ring most richly well in chaste that with her goodly presence all the rest much graced look how the crown which Ariadne wore upon her ivory forehead that same day that theseus her unto his bridal bore when the bold centils made that bloody fray with the fierce lapithes which did them dismay being now placed in the firmament through the bright heaven doth her beams display and is unto the stars an ornament which round about her move in order excellent such was the beauty of this goodly band whose sundry parts were here too long to tell but she that in the midst of them did stand seemed all the rest in beauty to excel crowned with a rosy girl and that right welded her beseem and ever as the crew about her danced sweet flowers that far did smell and fragrant odours they upon her through but most of all those three did her with gifts and due these were the graces daughters of delight handmaids of Venus which are want to haunt upon this hill and dance there day and night those three to men all gifts of grace do grant and all that Venus in her self doth flaunt is borrowed from them but that fair one that in the midst was placed power-vaunt was she to whom that shepherd piped alone that made him pipe so merrily as never none she was to weep that jolly shepherd's lass which piped there unto that merry route that jolly shepherd which there piped was poor Colin Clout who knows not Colin Clout he piped a pace whilst they him danced about pipe thou now a pace unto thy love that made thee low to lout thy love is present there with thee in place thy love is there advanced to be another grace much wandered Calidor at this strange sight who's like before his eyes had never seen and standing long astonished in spite and wrapped with plesance wist not what to wean whether it were the train of beauties queen or nymphs or fairies or enchanted show with which his eyes might have deluded been therefore resolving what it was to know out of the wood heroes and toward them did go but soon as he appeared to their view they vanished all away out of his sight and clean were gone which way he never knew all saved the shepherd who for fell despite of that displeasure broke his bagpipe quite and made great moan for that unhappy turn but Calidor though no less sorry white for that mishap yet seeing him to moan drew near that he the truth of all by him moat learn and first him greeting thus unto him spake hail jolly shepherd which thy joyous days he leadest in thy scudly merry make frequented of these gentle nymphs always which to thee flock to hear thy lovely laze tell me what moat these dainty damsels be which here with thee do make their pleasant flays happy thou that mace them freely see but why when I them saw fled they away from me not I so happy answered then that swaying as thou unhappy which them thence did chase whom by no means thou canst recall again for being gone none can them bring in place but whom they of themselves list so to grace right sorry I said then Sir Calidor that my ill fortune did them hence displace but since things passed that none may now restore tell me what were they all whose lack thee grieve so sore though gone that shepherd thus for to delay then what thy shepherd what so ever thou be that all those ladies which thou sawest late are venus damsels all within her fee but differing in honour and degree they all are graces which on her depend besides a thousand more may they be her to adorn when she so forth doth wind but those three in the midst do chief on her attend they are the daughters of sky-ruling jove by him begot of fair urinomy the ocean's daughter in this pleasant grove as he this way coming from feastful glee of theta's wedding with Ayakadi in summer's shade himself he rested weary the first of them hight mild euphosinie next fair to Aglaya last Thalia Mary sweet goddesses all three which me and mirth do cherry these three on men all gracious gifts bestow which deck to body or adorn the mind to make them lovely or well-favoured show as calmly carriage entertainment kind sweet semblance friendly offices that bind and all the compliments of courtesy they teach us how to each degree in kind we should ourselves demean to low to high to friends to foes which skill men call civility therefore they always smoothly seem to smile that we likewise should mild and gentle be and also naked are that without guile or false dissemblance all them plain may see simple and true from covert malice free and eag themselves so in their dance they bore that two of them still forward seemed to be still towards showed herself before that good from us go then come in greater store such were those goddesses which ye did see but that forth made which there amidst them traced who can read what creature moat she be whether a creature or a goddess graced with heavenly gifts from heaven first and raced but what so sure she was she worthy was for be the fourth with those three other placed yet was assertors but a country lass yet she all other country lasses far did pass so far as doth the daughter of the day all other lesser lights in light excel so far does she in beautiful array above all other lasses bear the bell nor less in virtue that besiems her well does she exceed the rest of all her race for which the graces that here want to dwell have for more honor brought her to this place and graced her so much to be another grace another grace she well deserves to be in whom so many graces gathered are excelling much the mean of her degree divine resemblance beauty sovereign rare firm chastity that spite nor blemish dare all which she with such courtesy doth grace that all her peers cannot with her compare but quite our dimmed when she is in place she made me often pipe and now to pipe a place son of the world great glory of the sky that all the earth does lighten with thy rays great glory honor greatest majesty pardon thy shepherd amongst so many lays as he have sung of thee in all his days to make one minimie of thy poor handmaid and underneath thy feet to place her praise that when thy glory shall be far displayed to future age of her this mention may be made when thus that shepherd ended had his speech said calidor now sure it urqueth me that to thy bliss I made this luckless breach and now the author of thy bail to be thus to bereave thy love's dear sight from thee but gentle shepherd pardon thou my shame who rashly sought that which I might not see thus did the courteous knight excluse his blame and to reconfort him all calmly in such discourses they together spent long time as fit occasion forth them led with which the knight himself did much content and with delight his greedy fancy fed but of his words which he with reason read and also of the place whose pleasures rare with such regard his senses ravish ed that thence he had no will away to fare but wished that with that shepherd he moat dwelling share but that envenomed sting the which of your his poisonous point deep fixed in his heart had left now garner fresh to rankle saw and to renew the rigor of his smart which to recure no skill of leeches art moat him avail but to return again to his wounds worker that with lovely dart dinting his breast he had bred his restless pain like as the wounded whale to shore flies from the main so taking leave of that same gentle swing he back returned to his rustic one where his fair pastorella did remain to whom in sort as he had first begun he daily did apply himself to done all-duful service void of thoughts impure nor any pains nor peril did he shun by which he might her to his love allure and liking in her yet untamed heart procure and evermore the shepherd corridor whatever thing he did to her a great did strive to match with strong contention and all his pains did closely emulate whether it were to cowl as they say keeping their sheep or games to exercise or to present her with their labours late so which if any grace chance to arise to him the shepherd straight with jealousy did rise one day as they all three together went to the greenwood to gather strawberries their chance to them a dangerous accident a tiger forth out of the water did rise that with fell claws full of fierce gormand eyes and greedy mouth wide gaping like hell gate did run at pastorella her to surprise whom she beholding now all desolate gone quiet to them allowed to help ere all too late which corridor on first hearing ran in haste to rescue her but when he saw the fiend though coward fear he fled away as fast nor dust abide the danger of the end his life he steamed dearer than his friend but callidore soon coming to her aid when he the beasts already now to rend his love's dear spoil in which his heart was prayed he ran at him enraged instead of being prayed he had no weapon but his shepherd's hook to serve the vengeance of his wrathful will with which so stonly he the monster struck that to the ground astonished he fell when's ere he could recovered and hewing off his head he it presented before the feet of the fair pastorella who scarcely yet from form of fear exempted a thousand times in thanked that had her death prevented from that day forth she gone to him to effect and daily more her favour to augment but corridor on for corridors reject fit to keep sheep unfit for love's content the gentle heart scorns based disparagement yet callidore did not despise him quite but used him friendly for further intent that by his fellowship he color might both his estate and love from skill of any white so well he would her and so well he wrought her with humble service and with daily suit that at the last unto his will he brought her which he so wisely welded prosecute that of his love he reaped the timely fruit and joyed long in close felicity till fortune fought with malice blind and brute that envy's lovers long prosperity blew up a bitter storm of foul adversity it fortunate one day when callidore was hunting in the woods as was his trade a lawless people through gants height of yore that never used to live by plough nor spade but fed on spoil and booty which they made upon their neighbors which did neither them border the dwelling of this shepherds did invade and spoiled their houses and themselves did murder and drove away their flocks with other much disorder among the rest the which they then did pray they spoiled old melody of all he had and all his people captive led away amongst which this luckless made away was led fair pastorella sorrowful and sad most sorrowful most sad that ever sight there made the spoil of thieves and brigands bad which was the conquest of the gentlest night that ever lived and the only glory of his might with them also was taken corridor and carried captive by those thieves away who in the covet of the night that none might them describe nor rescue from their prey until their dwelling did them close convey their dwelling in a little island was covered with shrubby woods in which no way appeared for people in nor out to pass nor any footing fine for overgrown grass for underneath the ground their way was made through hollow caves that no man might discover for the thick shrubs which did them always shade from view of living white and covered over but darkness dread and daily night did hover through all the inner parts wherein they dwelt nor lightened was with window nor with louver but with continual candlelight which dealt a doubtful sense of things not so