 Book 2, Canto 5. The Legend of Sir Guyon. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please go to LibriVox.org. The Fairy Queen by Edmund Spencer. Book 2, The Legend of Sir Guyon, Canto 5. Pyroclis does with Guyon fight in Führer's chain unbinds, of whom so hurt for his revenge, Aetan, Chimuclis finds. Who ever doth to temper and supply his steadfast life and all his actions frame, trust me, shall find no greater enemy than stubborn perturbation to the same. To which right well the wise do give that name, for it the goodly piece of stay-at-minds does overthrow, and a troublous war proclaim, his own woe's author, who so bound it finds, as did Pyroclis, and it willfully unbinds. After that violet's flight it was not long, air on the plain, fast pricking Guyon's spide, one in bright arms embattled full strong. That as the sunny beams do glance and glide upon the trembling wave, so shine it bright and round about him through forth sparkling fire, that seemed him to inflame on every side. His steed was bloody red and foamid ire, when with the mastering spur he did him roughly stire. Approaching nigh he never stayed to greet, ne' chaff our words, proud courage to provoke, but pricked so fierce, that underneath his feet the smoldering dust did round about him smoke, both horse and a man, nigh able for to choke, and fairly couching his steel-headed spear, him first saluted with a sturdy stroke, it booted not, Sir Guyon, coming near to think, such hideous puissance on foot to bear. But lightly shunned it in passing by, with his bright blade did smite at him so fell, that the sharp steel arriving forcibly on his broad shield bit not, but glancing fell on his horse-neck before the quilted cell, and from the head the body sundered quite. So him dismounted low he did compel on foot with him to match an equal fight. The truncate beast-fast bleeding did him foul lidite. So bruised with the fall he slow up rose, and all enraged, thus him loudly shent. Dislail night, whose coward courage chose to wreak itself on beast all innocent, and shunned the mark, at which it should be meant. Thereby thine arms seem strong, but manhood frail. So hest thou oft with Guyon thy honor blent, but little may such Guyon thee now avail, if wanted force, and fortune do not much me fail. With that he drew his flaming sword, and struck at him so fiercely, that the upper marge of his seven-folded shield, away it took, and glancing on his helmet made a large and open gash therein. Were not his charge that broke the violence of his intent, the weary soul from thinset would discharge. Nay, the less so sore a buff to him it lent, that made him real, and to his breast his beaver bent. Exceed him wroth, was Guyon at that blow, and much ashamed that stroke of living arm should him dismay, and make him stoop so low, though otherwise it did him little harm. Though hurling high his iron-brasted arm, he smote so manly on his shoulder-plate, that all his left side it did quite disarm. Yet there the steel stayed not, but inly bait deep in his flesh, and opened wide a red flood-gate. Deadly dismayed with horror of that dent Pyroclis was, and grieve at Eek entire, yet Nay the more did it his fury stent, but added flame unto his former fire, that well-nigh molt his heart in raging ire. Nay thinsforth his approved skill, to ward or strike or hurtle round in wear like a gyre. Remember it he, Nay cared for his soaf-guard, but rudely raged and like a cruel tiger fired. He hewed, and lashed, and foined, and thundered blows, and every way did seek into his life. Nay plate, nay mail could ward so mighty throes, but yielded passage to his cruel knife. But Guyon, in the heat of all his strife was wary-wise, and closely did await a vantage. Whilst his foe did rage most rife, sometimes a thwart, sometimes he struck him straight, and false it oft his blows, tillued him with such bait. Like as a lion, whose imperial power a proud, rebellious unicorn defies, to avoid the rash assault and wrathful store of his fierce foe, him to a tree applies, and when him, running in full course he spies, he slips aside. The wiles that furious beast, his precious horn, sought of his enemies strikes in the stock. Nay thins can be released, but to the mighty victor yields a bounteous feast. With such fierce light, him Guyon often failed, till at the last all breathless, weary, faint, him spying, with fresh onset he assailed, and kindling new his courage seeming quaint, struck him so hugely that through great constraint he made him stoop, perforce unto his knee, and do unwilling worship to the saint, that on his shield depainted he did see. Such homage till that instant never learned he, whom Guyon seeing stoop pursued fast, the present offer of fair victory, and soon his dreadful blade abound he cast, wherewith he smote his haughty crest so high, that straight on ground made him full low to lie, then on his breast his victor foot he thrust. With that he cried mercy, do me not die, nay deem thy force by fortune's doom unjust, that hath Mow Gray her spite, thus low me laid in dust. After soon his cruel hands, sir Guyon stayed, tempering the passion with advisement slow, and mastering might on enemy dismayed, for the equal die of war he well did know, then to him said, live and allegiance owe, to him that gives thee life and liberty, and henceforth by this day's end-sample trow, that hasty wrath and heedless hazardry do breed repentance late, and lasting infamy. So up he let him rise, who with grim look and countenance stern upstanding, began to grind his grated teeth for great disdain, and shook his sandy locks, long hanging down behind, knotted in blood and dust for grief of mind, that he, in odds of arms, was conquered, yet in himself some comfort he did find, that him so noble knight had maestered, whose bounty more than might, yet both he wonder'd, which Guyon Marking said, be not aggrieved, sir knight, that thus ye now subdued are, was never man who most conquests achieved, but sometimes had the worse and lost by war, yet shortly gained, that loss exceeded far. Loss is no shame, nor to be less than foe, but to be lesser than himself doth mar both looser's lot, and victor's praise also, vain others overthrows who self doth overthrow. Fly, O Pyroclese, fly the dreadful war, that in thyself thy lesser parts do move, outrageous anger and woe-working jar, direful impatience and heart-murdering love, those, those thy foes, those warriors far remove, which thee to endless bail captive it led, but sit in might thou didst my mercy prove of courtesy to me that cause a reed, that thee against me drew with so impetuous dread. Dreadless, said he, that shall I soon declare, it was complained that thou hadst done great tort, unto an aged woman, poor and bare, enthralled her in chains with strong effort, void of all succor and needful comfort, that ill-be-seems thee, such as I thee see, to work such shame, therefore I thee exhort to change thy will, and set occasion free, and to her captive son yield his first liberty. There et Sir Guyon smiled, and is that all, said he, that thee so sore displease it hath, great mercy sure for to enlarge a thrall, whose freedom shall thee turn to greatest scath, naith less now quinch thy what in boiling wrath. Lo there they be, to thee I yield them free, there et he wondrous glad, out of the path did lightly leap, where he them bound did see, and again to break the banks of their captivity. Soon as occasion felt herself untied, before her son could well assoil it be, she to her use returned in straight defied, both Guyon and Pyro, please. The one, said she, because he won, the other because he was won, so matter did she make of not to stir up strife, and do them disagree. But soon as furor was enlarged, she sought to kindle his quenched fire, and thousand causes wrought. It was not long ere she inflamed him so, that he would all gates with Pyroclis fight, and his redeemer challenged for his foe, because he had not well maintained his right, but yielded had to that same stranger night. Now again Pyroclis waxes wood as he, and him affronted with impatient might, so both together fierce ingrasped be, while Guyon standing by their uncouth strife does see. Him all that while, occasion did provoke against Pyroclis, and knew matter frame it up on the old, him stirring to be roke of his late wrongs, in which she oft him blame it for suffering such abuse, as knighthood shame it, and him disabled quite. But he was wise, nay would with vain occasions be inflamed, yet others she more urgent did devise, yet nothing could him to impatience entice. There fell contention still increased more, and more thereby increased furor's might, that he his foe has hurt, and wounded soar, and him in blood and dirt deform it quite. His mother, Ike, more to augment his spite, now brought to him a flaming fire-brand, which she in Stygian Lake, I, burning bright, had kindled, that she gave into his hand, that armed with fire, more hardly he moat him with stand. Though again that villain wax so fierce and strong, that nothing might sustain his furious force, he cast him down to ground, and all along drew him through dirt and mire without remorse, and foully battered his comely course. That Gion much disdained so lowly sight, at last he was compelled to cry perforce. Help, oh, Sir Gion, help most noble knight to rid a wretched man from hands of hellish white. The knight was greatly moved at his plate, and again him died to succour his distress, till that the polymer by his grave restraint had stayed from mulling pitiful redress, and said, Dear son, by causeless ruth repress, they let thy stout heart melt in pity vain, he that his sorrow sought through willfulness and his foe fettered would release again, deserves to taste his folly's fruit, repented pain. Gion obeyed, so him away he drew from needless trouble of renewing fight, all ready fought, his voyage to pursue, but rash pyroclies varlet, ate in height, when late he saw his lord in heavy plight, under Sir Gion's puissant stroke to fall, him deeming dead, as then he seemed in sight, fled fast away to tell his funeral unto his brother, whom chymocles men did call. He was a man of rare redoubted might, famous throughout the world for war-like praise, and glorious spoils purchased in perilous fight, fool-mini-doughty knights he in his days had done to death, subdued in equal phrase, whose carcasses for terror of his name, of fowls and beasts he made the piteous praise, and hung their concrete arms for more defame on gallow trees in honor of his dearest dame. His dearest dame is that enchanterous, the vile acracia, that with vain delights and idle pleasures in her bower of bliss, does charm her lovers, and the feeble sprites can call out of the bodies of frail whites, whom then she does transform to monstrous hues, and horribly misshapes with ugly sights, captive eternally in iron muse, and darksome dins, where Titan, his face, never shoes. There Aetan found chymocles sojourning to serve his layman's love, for he by kind was given all to lust and loose living, whenever his fierce hands he free moat find, and now he has poured out his idle mind into deity delices, and lavish joys, having his warlike weapons cast behind, and flows in pleasures and vain pleasing toys, mingled amongst loose ladies and lascivious boys. And over him art striving to compare, with nature did an arbor green-dispread, framed of wanton ivy, flowering fair, through which the fragrant eglentine did spread his pricking arms, entrailed with roses red, which dainty odours round about them through, and all within with flowers was garnished, that when mild Zephyrus, amongst them blue, did breathe out bounteous smells and painted-coloured shoe, and fast beside their trickled softly down, a gentle stream whose murmuring wave did play amongst the plumy stones, and made a sound to lull him soft to sleep, that by it lay. The weary traveller, wandering that way, therein did often quench his thristy heat, and then by it his weary limbs display, whilst creeping slumber made him to forget his former pain and wiped away his toilsome sweat, and on the other side a pleasant grove was shot up high, full of the stately tree, that it dedicated is to Olympic Jove, and his son Alcides, when as he gained in Nimia goodly victory. There in the merry birds of every sort chanted aloud their cheerful harmony, and made amongst themselves a sweet consort, that quickened the dull sprite with musical comfort. There he him found all carelessly displayed in secret shadow from the sunny ray, on a sweet bed of lilies softly laid, amidst a flock of damsels fresh and gay, that round about him disolute did play their wanton follies and light merriment, every one of which did loosely disarray her upper parts of meek habiliments, and shewed them naked, decked with many ornaments, and every one of them strove with most delights him to a great and greatest pleasure's shoe. Some framed fair looks glancing like evening lights, others sweet words dropping like honey dew, some bathed kisses, and did softly brew the sugared liquor through his melting lips. One boasts her beauty, and does yield to view her dainty limbs, above her tender hips another her out boasts, and all for trial strips. He, like an adder lurking in the weeds, his wandering thought in deep desire does steep, and his frail eye with spoil of beauty feeds. Sometimes he falsely feigns himself to sleep, while through their lids his wanton eyes do peep, to steal a snatch of amorous conceit, whereby close fire in his heart does creep, so he them deceives, deceived in his deceit, made drunk with drugs of dear voluptuous receipt. Eighten arriving there when him he spied, thus instill waves of deep delight to wade, fiercely approaching to him loudly cried. Chymocles, oh no, but Chymocles, shade in which that manly person late did fade, what has become of great Akreti's son, or where hath he hung up his mortal blade, that hath so many haughty conquests won? Is all his force forlorn, and all his glory done? Then, pricking him with his sharp pointed dart, he said, up, up, thou womanish weak knight, that here in ladies lap in tumidar, unmindful of thy praise and prowessed might, and witless eek of lately wrought despite, while's sad Pyroclies lies on senseless ground, and groaneth out his utmost grudging sprite, through many a stroke and many a streaming wound, calling thy help in vain, that here in joys art drowned. Suddenly out of his delightful dream, the man awoke and would have questioned more, but he would not endure that woeful theme, for to dilate at large, but urged soar with piercing words and pitiful implore, him hasty to arise. As one afright with hellish fiends, or furies mad uproar, he then up-rose, inflamed with fell despite, and called for his arms, for he would all gates fight. They been e'brought. He quickly does him dite, and lightly mounted passeth, on his way, near ladies' loves, near sweet entreaties might appease his heat, or hasty passage stay, for he is vowed to be avenged that day, that day itself him semen'd all too long, on him that pyroclese dear dismay, so proudly pricketh on his corset strong, in eight an eye, him pricks with spurs, of shame and wrong. End of Canto Five. Book Two, The Fairy Queen. Book Two, Canto Six. The Legend of Sir Guyon. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please go to LibriVox.org. The Fairy Queen by Edmund Spencer. Book Two, The Legend of Sir Guyon. Canto Six. Guyon is of immodest mirth, led into loose desire, of pyroclese while his brother burns in furious fire. A harder lesson to learn continents, in joyous pleasure, that in grief is pain, for sweetness doth allure the weaker sense so strongly that uneeths it can refrain from that which feeble nature covets fame. But grief and wrath, that be her enemies and foes of life, she better can restrain. Yet virtue wants in both their victories, and Guyon in them all shoes goodly mesteries. Whom bold chymoclease travelling to find, with cruel purpose bent, to wreak on him the wrath, which Aiden kindled in his mind, came to a river, by whose utmost brim waiting to pass he saw whereas did swim along the shore, as swift as glance of eye a little gondolé, bedecad trim with bows and arbours woven cunningly that like a little forest seam it outwardly. And therein set a lady fresh and fair, making sweet solace to herself alone. Sometimes she sung as loud as lark in air, sometimes she laughed that nigh her breath was gone, yet was there not with her else any one that might to her move cause of merriment. Matter of mirth enough, though there were none, she could devise, and thousand ways invent to feed her foolish humour and vain jolliment. Which when far off chymoclease heard and saw, he loudly called to such as were aboard, the little bark unto the shore to draw, and him to ferry over that deep ford, the merry-mariner unto his word soon harkened, and her painted boat straightway turned to the shore, where that same warlike lord she in received, but Aiden by no way she would admit, albeit the night her much did pray. Eft soonce her shallow ship away did slide, more swift than swallow shears the liquid sky, without an oar or pilot it it to guide, our winged canvas with the wind to fly. Only she turned a pin, and by and by it cut away upon the yielding wave, ne'er carried she her course far to apply, for it was taught the way which she would have, and both from rocks and flats itself could wisely save. And all the way the wanton damsel found new mirth, her passenger to entertain, for she in pleasant purpose did abound, and greatly joyed merry tales to fame, of which a storehouse did with her remain, yet seemed nothing well they her became, for all her words she drowned with laughter vain, and wanted grace in uttering of the same, they turned it all her pleasant to a scoffing game. And other wiles, vain toys she would devise, as her fantastic wit did most delight, sometimes her head she fondly would aghize, with gaudy gierlands or fresh florets, tight about her neck or rings of rushes plight, sometimes to do him laugh she would assay to laugh at shaking of the leaves light, or to behold the water work, and play about her little frigot therein making way. Her light behavior and loose dallions gave wondrous great contentment to the night, that of his way he had no suvenance, nor care of vowed revenge and cruel fight, but to weak winch did yield his martial might. So easy was to quench his flamed mind with one sweet drop of sensual delight, so easy is to appease the stormy wind of malice in the calm of pleasant woman kind. Diverse discourses in their way they spent, amongst which chymicles of her question it, both what she was and what that usage meant, which in her caught she daily practised. Vain man said she that wouldest be reckoned a stranger in thy home, and ignorant of Fadria, for so my name is read, of Fadria, thine own fellow servant, for thou to serve a crazier thy self-dust vaunt. In this wide inland sea, that height by name the idle lake, my wandering ship I row, that knows her port in thither sails by aim, nay care, nay fear I, how the wind do blow, or whether swift I wind, or whether slow, both slow and swift alike do serve my turn, nay swelling Neptune, nay loud thundering jove can challenge my cheer, or make me ever mourn, my little boat can safely pass this perilous borne. Whilst thus she talketh, and whilst thus she toyed, they were far past the passage, which he spake, and come unto an island, waste and void, that floated in the midst of that greater lake, there her small gondolae, her port did make, and that gay-pair issuing on the shore disburdened her. There way they foreward take into the land that lay them fair before, whose pleasant she him shewed, and plentiful great store. It was a chosen plot of fertile land, amongst wide waves set, like a little nest as if it had by nature's cunning hand been choicelessly picked out from all the rest, and laid forth for in sample of the best, no dainty flower or herb that grows on ground, no arboret with painted blossoms dressed, and smelling sweet, but there it might be found to bud out fair, and her sweet smells throw all around. No tree whose branches did not bravely spring, no branch whereon a fine bird did not sit, no bird but did her shrill notes sweetly sing, no song but did contain a lovely ditt. Trees, branches, birds, and songs were frame it fit, for to allure frail mind to careless ease. Careless the man soon walks, and his weak wit was overcome of thing that it did him please, so please it did his wrathful purpose fair appease. Thus when she had his eyes, and since his fed with false delights, and filled with pleasures vain, into a shady dale she soft him lead, and laid him down upon a grassy plain, and her sweet self without dread or disdain, she set beside, laying his head disarmed, in her loose lap, it softly to sustain, where soon he slumbered, fearing not to be harmed, the wiles with a loud lay she thus him sweetly charmed. Behold, O man, that toilsome pains dost take the flowers, the fields, and all that pleasant grows, how they themselves do thine in sample make, whilst nothing envious nature them forththrows out of her fruitful lap. How no man knows they spring, they bud, they blossom fresh and fair, and deck the world with their rich pompous shows, yet no man for them taketh pains or care, yet no man to them can his careful pains compare. The lily, lady of the flowering field, the flower deluce, her lovely paramour, bid thee to them thy fruitless labours yield, and soon leave off this toilsome weary store. Lo, lo how brave she decks her bounteous bower, with silken curtains and gold coverlets, therein to shroud her sumptuous belemour, yet neither spins nor cards, ne cares nor frets, but to her mother nature all her care she lets. Why then dost thou, O man, that of them all art lord, and eek of nature sovereign, willfully make thy self a wretched thrall, and whatst thy joyous hours in needless pain, seeking for danger and adventurer's vain? What boots it all to have and nothing use, who shall him rue that swimming in the main, will die for thirst and water doth refuse? Refuse such fruitless toil and present pleasures choose? By this she had him lullid fast asleep, that of no worldly thing he cared to take, then she with liquor's strong his eyes did steep, that nothing should him hastily awake. So she him left and it did herself betake unto her boat again, with which she cleft the slothful wave of that great grizzly lake. Soon she that island far behind her left and now has come to that same place where first she weft. This time was the worthy guy one brought unto the other side of that wide stronde where she was rowing and for passage sought. Him needed not a long call, she soon to haunt her fairy-brot, where him she-biding fawned with his sad guide. Himself she took aboard, but the black palmer suffered still to stand and a wood for price or prayers once afford to ferry that old man over the pearless ford. Guyon was loath to leave his guide behind, yet being entered might not back retire, for the flit bark obeyed to her mind forth-launched quickly as she did desire. Ne gave him leave to bid that ancient sire adieu, but nimbly ran her wanted course through the dull billows thick as troubled mire, whom neither wind out of their seat could force, nor timely tides did drive out of their sluggish source. And by the way as was her wanted guise, her merry fit she freshly gained to rear, and did of joy and jollity devise, herself to cherish and her guest to cheer. The night was courteous and did not forbear her honest mirth and pleasant to partake, but when he saw her toy and a jib and jeer and pass the bonds of modest merry-make, her dalliance he despised and follies did forsake. Yet she still followed her former style and said and did all that moat him delight till they arrived in that pleasant isle where sleeping late she left her other night, but when as Gion of that land had sight, he whisked himself amiss and angry said, Ah, Dame Pérdi, you have not done me right. Thus to mislead me while I you obeyed, me little needed from my right way to have strayed. Fair, sir, quote she, be not displeased at all. Who fares on sea may not command his way. Nay wind and weather at his pleasure call. The sea is wide and easy for to stray. The wind unstable and doth never stay, but here, a while, you may in safety rest till season serve new passage to assay. Better save port than be in seas distressed. Therewith she laughed and did her earnest end in jest. But he, half discontent, moat, nay the less himself appease and issued forth on shore the joys whereof and happy fruitfulness, such as he saw she again him lay before, and all though pleasant, yet she made much more. The fields did laugh, the flowers did freshly spring, the trees did bud, and early blossoms bore, and all the choir of birds did sweetly sing and told that garden's pleasures in their caroling. And she more sweet than any bird on bow would often times amongst them bear apart and strive to pass as she could well enough their native music by her skillful art. So did she all that might his constant heart withdraw from thought of warlike enterprise and drown in disillute delights apart, where noise of arms or view of marshal guise might not revive desire of nightly exercise. But he was wise and wary of her will and ever held his hand upon his heart, yet would not seem so rude and fewid ill as to despise so courteous seeming part that a gentle lady did to him impart. But faintly tempering font desire subdued and ever her desired to depart. She list not here, but her desports pursued and ever bad him stay till time the tide renewed. And now by this chymicaly's hour was spent that he awoke out of his idle dream and shaking off his drowsy dreariment gan him of eyes, how ill did him be seem in slothful sleep his molten heart to steam and quenched the brand of his conceivet ire. Though up he started, stirred with shame extreme, they stayed for his damsel to inquire but marched to the strong, their passage to require, and in the way he with Sir Gion met, accompanied with Phaedria the fair. Eft soonce he gained to rage and inly fret, crying, Let be that lady debonair, thou recreational night and soon thyself prepare to battle. If thou mean her love to gain, lo, lo already, how the fowls in air do flock, awaiting shortly to obtain thy carcass for their prey, the gared on of thy pain. And therewithal he fiercely at him flew and with importune outrage him assailed, who soon prepared to field his sword forth drew, and him with equal value counterveiled, their mighty strokes their haverjens dismailed, and naked made each other's manly spalls. The mortal steel despidiously entailed, deep in their flesh, quite through the iron walls, that a large purple stream down their jambos falls. Kaimo, please, that had never met before, so puissant foe, with envious, despite his proud, presumed force, increased more, disdaining to be held so long in fight, Sir Gion grudging not so much his might, as those unnightly railings which he spoke with wrathful fire his courage kindled bright, thereof devising shortly to be rogue, and doubling all his powers redoubled every stroke. Both of them high at once their hands enhaunced, and both at once their huge blows down did sway, Kaimo, please, soared on Gion's shield aglanced, and thereof nigh one quarter sheared away, Gion's angry blade so fierce did play on the other's helmet, which is tight and shone, that quite it clove his plummet crest in tway, and buried all his head unto the bone, wherewith astonished still he stood as senseless stone. Still as he stood, fair Phaedria, that beheld that deadly donger, soon between them ran, and at their feet herself most humbly felled, crying with Phaedria's voice, and countenance won. O well away most noble lords, how can your cruel eyes endure so Phaedria's sight to shed your lives on ground? Woe, worth the man that first did teach the cursed steel to bite in his own flesh, and make way to the living sprite. If ever love of lady did empearse your iron breasts, or pity could find place withhold your bloody hands from battle fierce, and sith for me ye fight, to me this grace both yield, to stay your deadly strife of space, they stayed awhile, and forth she Gann proceed. Most wretched woman, and of wicked race, let him the author of this heinous deed, and cause of death between two dowdy knights do breed. But if for me ye fight, or me will serve, not this rude kind of battle, nor these arms are meat, the which do men in bale to serve, and doleful sorrow heap with deadly harms. Such cruel game my scarmojis disarms. Another war and other weapons I do love, where love does give his sweet alarms, without blood shed, and where the enemy does yield unto his foe a pleasant victory. Debateful strife and cruel enmity, the famous name of knighthood foully shent, but lovely peace and gentle amity, and in amours the passing hours to spend. The mighty marshal hands do most commend. Of love they ever greater glory bore than of their arms, mars is Cupido's friend, and is for Venus loves renownment more than all his wars and spoils, the which he did of yore. Therewith she sweetly smiled, they though fullbent to prove extremities of bloody fight, yet at her speech their rages Gann relent, and calm the sea of their tempestuous spite. Such power have pleasing words, such is the might of courteous clemency and gentle heart. Now after all was ceased the fairy knight besought that damsel suffer him depart, and yield him ready passage to that other part. She no less glad than he desirous was of his departure thence, for of her joy and vain delight she saw he light did pass. A foe of folly and immodest toy still solemn sad or still disdainful coy, delighting all in arms and cruel war that her sweet peace and pleasures did annoy, troubled with terror and unquiet jar that she well pleased it was thence to a move him far, though him she brought aboard, and her swift boat forthwith directed to that further strand, the which on the dull waves did lightly float, and soon arrived on the shallow sand, where gladsome guy and sallied forth to land, and to that damsel thanks gave for reward. Upon that shore he spied aton stand, there by his master left, when late he fared in Fadria's flit bark over that pearless shard. Well could he him remember, sith of late he with pirately sharp debatement made, straight again he him revile, and bitter rate as shepherds' cur, that in dark evenings shade hath tracted forth some salvage beasts' trade. Vile miscreant said, he whither dost thou fly, the shame and death, which will thee soon invade, what cowered hand shall do the next to die, that art thus foully fled from famous enemy? With that he stiffly shook his steel-head dart, but sober guy on hearing him so rail, though somewhat movid in his mighty heart, yet with strong reason maestered passion frail, and pass it fairly forth. He, turning tail back to the strand, retired, and there still stayed, awaiting passage, which him late did fail, the wiles' chymocles with that wanton maid, the hasty heat of his avowed revenge delayed. While there the varlet stood, he saw from far an armoured knight that towards him fast ran. He ran on foot as if in luckless war his forlorn steed from him the victor won. He seemed breathless, heartless, fate and won, and all his armour sprinkled was with blood, and soiled with a dirty gore that no man can discern the hue thereof. He never stood but bent his hasty course towards the idle flood. The varlet saw when to the flood he came how without stop or stay he fiercely leapt, and deep himself beduked in the same, that in the lake his lofty crest was steeped, nay of his safety seemed care he kept, but with his raging arms he rudely flashed, the waves about and all his armour swept, that all the blood and filth away was washed, yet still he bet the water and the billows dashed. Aityn drew nigh to wheat what it moat be, for much he wondered at that uncouth sight whom should he but his own dear Lord there see, his own dear Lord Pyroclis in sad plight, ready to drown himself for fell despite. Hero now out and well away he cried, what a dismal day hath length this cursed light to see my Lord so deadly, damnedified. Pyroclis, oh Pyroclis, what is thee betide? I burn, I burn, I burn, then loud he cried. Oh, how I burn with implacable fire, yet a knot can quench my inly flaming side. Nor sea of liquor cold, nor lake of mire, nothing but death can do me to respire. Ah, be it, said he, from Pyroclis far, after pursuing death, once to require, or think that ought those puissant hands may mar. Death is for wretches born under unhappy star. Per die, then, is it fit for me, said he, that am I wean most wretched man alive, burning in flames, yet no flames can I see, and dying daily, daily yet revive. Oh, Aityn help to me last, death to give, the varlite at his plain was grieved sore, that his deep wounded heart in the two did rive, and his own health, remembering now no more, did follow that in sample which he blamed afore. Into the lake he leapt, his Lord to aid, so loved the dread of danger both despise, and of him catching hold, him strongly stayed from drowning, but more happy he, than wise, of that sea's nature did him not avise, the waves thereof so slow and sluggish were, engrossed with mud, which did to them fowl, a-cries, that every weighty thing they did up a bear, they ought moat ever sink down to the bottom there. Whilst thus they struggled in that idle wave, and strove in vain the one himself to drown, the other both from drowning for to save, lo, to that shore one in an ancient gown, whose hoary locks great gravity did crown, holding in hand a goodly arming sword, by fortune came, led with a troublous sown, where drenched deep he found in that dull ford the careful servant striving with his raging lord. Him, Aten spying, knew right well of your, and loudly called, Help, help, O arch-image, to save my lord in wretched plight forlore, help with thy hand, or with thy counsel sage, weak hands but counsel is most strong in age, him when the old man saw he wonder'd soar, to see pyroclies there so rudely rage, yet Sithen's help he saw, he needed more than pity, he in haste approach'd to the shore, and called, Pyroclies, what is this I see, what hellish fury hath at erst thee bent, furious ever I thee knew to be, yet never in this strange astonishment, these flames, these flames he cried, do me torment, what flames, quote he, when I thee present see in danger rather to be drent than brunt, harrow the flames which me consume, said he, nay, can be quenched within my secret bowels be, that cursed man, that cruel fiend of hell, furor, O furor hath me thus bedight, his deadly wounds within my livers swell, and his what-fire burns in mine in trails bright, kindled through his infernal brunt of spite, sith late with him I battle vain would boast, that now I wean'd jove's dreaded thunder-light does scorch not half so soar, nor damn'd it ghost in flaming fligatome does not so felly roast, which when his Archimago heard, his grief he knew right well, and him at once disarmed, then searched his secret wounds and made a brief of every place, that was with bruising harmed, or with the hidden fire too inly warmed, which done he bombs and herbs there to applied, and evermore with mighty spells them charmed, that in short space he has them qualified, and him restored to health, that would have all gates died. End of Canto 6, Book 2, The Legend of Sargayan Book 2, Canto 7 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org The Fairy Queen by Edmund Spencer Book 2, Canto 7 Guion finds Mammon in a delve, sunning his treasure-hoar, is by him tempted and led down, to see his secret store. As pilot, well expert in perilous wave, that to a steadfast star his course hath bent, when foggy mists or cloudy tempests have the faithful light of that fair lampy-blent, and covered heaven with hideous dreariment, upon his card and compass firms his eye, the maesters of his long experiment, and to them does the steady helm apply, bidding his winged vessel fairly forward-fly. So Guion, having lost his trusty guide, late left beyond that idle lake, proceeds, yet on his way, of none accompanied, and evermore himself with comfort feeds, of his own virtues and praiseworthy deeds, so long he owed that no adventure found, which fame of her shrill trumpet worthy reads, for still he travelled through wide wasteful ground, that nought but desert wilderness showed all around. At last he came unto a gloomy glade, covered with boughs and shrubs from heaven's light, whereas he sitting found in secret shade an uncouthed salvage and uncivil white of grisly hue and foul ill-favoured sight. His face with smoke was tanned and eyes were bleared, his head and beard with soot were ill-bidite, his cold black hands did seem to have been seared in smith's fire-spitting forge, and nails like claws appeared. His iron coat, all overgrown with rust, was underneath in veliped with gold, whose glistering gloss darkened with filthy dust, well yet appeared to have been of old a work of rich entail and curious mould, woven with antics and wild imagery, and in his lap a mass of coin he told and turned upsy down to feed his eye and covetous desire with his huge treasury. And round about him lay on every side great heaps of gold that never could be spent, of which some were rude or not purified, of Malsibur's devouring element. Some others were new-driven and distent into great ingots and to wedges square, some in round plates without a monument, but most were stamped and in their metal bear the antique shapes of kings and kaisers strange and rare. Soon as he Goyon saw, in greater fright and haste he rose, for to remove aside those precious hills from strangers envious sight, and down them poured through a hole full wide into the hollow earth, them there to hide. But Goyon, lightly to him leaping, stayed his hand that trembled as one terrified, and though himself were at the sight dismayed, yet him perforce restrained and to him doubtful said, What art thou man, if man at all thou art, that here in desert hast thy inhabitants and these rich heaps of wealth dust hide apart from the world's eye and from her right usance? Therat, with staring eyes fixed to scants in great disdain, he answered, Hardie Elf, that darest view my direful countenance, I read thee rash and heedless of thyself to trouble my still seat and heaps of precious pelf. God of the world and worldlings, I me call, Great Mammon, greatest God below the sky, that of my plenty pour out unto all and unto none my graces do envy. Riches, renown and principality, Honor is state and all this world is good, for which men's swing can sweat incessantly, for me do flow into an ample flood, and in the hollow earth have their eternal brood. Wherefore, if me thou dain to serve and sue, at thy command, lo, all these mountains be, or if to thy great mind or greedy view all these may not suffice, their shelter thee, ten times so much benumbed, frank and free. Mammon said he, thy God heads vaunt his vein, and idle offers of thy golden fee, to them that covet such eye-glutting gain, proffer thy gifts and fitter servants entertain. Me ill besits, that in their doing times and honors suit my valid days do spend, until thy bounteous baits and pleasing charms, with which weak men thou whichest to attend, regard of worldly muck doth fowly blend, and lower base of the high heroic sprite, that joys for crowns and kingdoms to contend, fair shields, gay steeds, bright arms be my delight, those be the riches fit for an adventurous night. Vainglorious elf said he, dost not thou wheat, that money can thy wants at will supply, shield, steeds and arms, and all things for thee meet, it can purvey in twinkling of an eye, and crowns and kingdoms to thee multiply. Do not I, kings, create and throw the crown, sometimes to him, that low in dust doth lie, and him that reigned into his room thrust down, and whom I lust, do heap with glory and renown. All otherwise said he, I rich his reed, and deem them root of all disquietness, first got with guile, then preserved with dread, and after spent with pride and lavishness, leaving behind them grief and heaviness, infinite mischiefs of them do arise, strife and debate, bloodshed and bitterness, outrageous wrong and hellish coveties, that noble heart as great dishonor doth despise. Nor thine be kingdoms, nor the scepters thine, but realms and rulers thou dost both confound, and loyal truth to trees and dust incline, witness the guiltless blood poured off on ground, the crown it often slain, the slayer crowned, the sacred diadem in pieces rent, and purple robe gored with many a wound. Castles surprised, great cities sacked and Brent, so makest thou kings and gainest wrongful government. Long were to tell the troublesome storms that toss the private state and make the life unsweet, whose swelling sails in Caspian sea doth cross, and in frail wood on Adrian gulf doth fleet, doth not, I wean, so many evils meet. Then mammon, wexing wroth, and why then, said, immortal men so fond and undiscreet, so evil thing to seek into their aid, and having not complain, and having it up braid. Indeed, quoth he, through foul intemperance, frail men are oft captive to coveties, but would they think with how small allowance, untroubled nature doth herself suffice, such superfluities they would despise, which with sad cares impeach our native joys. At the wellhead the purist streams arise, but mucky filth his branching arms are noise, and with uncomely weeds the gentle wave accloise. The antique world, in his first flowering youth, found no defect in his creator's grace, but with glad thanks and unreproved truth the gifts of sovereign bounty did embrace, like angels life was then men's happy case. But later ages pride, like cornfed steed, abused her plenty and fat swole an increase to all licentious lust, and gannexed the measure of her mean and natural first need. Then ganne a cursed hand, the quiet womb of his great grandmother with steel to wound, and the hid treasures in her sacred tomb with sacrilege to dig, therein he found fountains of gold and silver to abound, of which the matter of his huge desire and pompous pride effed soonce he did compound, then avarice ganne through his veins inspire his greedy flames and kindled life devouring fire. Son, said he then, let be thy bitter scorn and leave the rudeness of that antique age to them that live therein in stateful awe. Thou that dost live in later times must wage thy works for wealth and life for gold engage. If then thee list my offered grace to use, take what thou please of all this surplissage. If thee list not, leave have thou to refuse, but thing refuse do not afterward accuse. Me list not, said the often night, receive, think offered, till I know it well begot. No woe-tie but thou didst these goods bereave from rightful owner by unrighteous lot, or that blood-guiltiness or guile them blot. Per die, quoth thee, yet never I did view, nor tongue did tell, nor hand these handled not, but safe I have them kept in secret mew from heaven's sight and power of all which them pursue. What secret place, quoth thee, can safely hold so huge a mass and hide from heaven's eye, or where hast thou, thy one, that so much gold thou canst preserve from wrong and robbery? Come thou, quoth thee and see, so bind by through that thick cupboard he him led, and found a darksome way which no man could describe that deep descended through the hollow ground and was with dread and horror compassed round. At length they came into a larger space that stretched itself into an ample plain through which a beaten, broad, highway did trace that straight did lead to Pluto's grizzly reign. By that way's side there sat infernal pain and fast beside him sat tumultuous strife, the one in hand and iron whip did strain, the other brandished a bloody knife, and both did gnash their teeth and both did threaten life. On the other side in one consort there sat cruel revenge and rancorous despite, disloyal treason and heart-burning hate, but gnawing jealousy out of their sight, sitting alone his bitter lips did bite, and trembling fear still too and fro did fly, and found no place where safe he shrouded him might, lamenting sorrow did in darkness lie, and shame his ugly face did hide from living eye, and over them sad horror with grim hue did always soar, beating his iron wings, and after him owls and night ravens flew, the hateful messengers of heavy things, of death and dollar telling sad tidings. While sad Seleno sitting on a cliff, a song of bale and bitter sorrow sings that heart of flint asunder could have rift, which having ended after him she flyeth swift. All these before the gates of Pluto lay, by whom they passing spake unto them nought, but they'll find night with wonder all the way, did feed his eyes and filled his inner thought, at last him to a little door he brought that to the gate of hell which gaped wide was next to joining, no them parted ought, betwixt them both was but a little stride, that did the house of Reches from hell mouth divide. Before the door sat self-consuming care, day and night keeping weary watch and ward, for fearless force or fraud should unaware break in and spoil the treasure there in guard, nor would he suffer sleep once thither would approach, albeit his drowsy den were next, for next to death is sleep to be compared, therefore his house is unto, his a next. Here sleep their Reches and hell gate them both betwixt. So soon as mammon there arrived, the door to him did open and afforded way, him followed each Sarguion evermore, nor darkness him, nor danger might dismay. Soon as he entered was, the door straightway did shut, and from behind it forth there let an ugly fiend more foul than dismal day, the witch with monstrous stork behind him stepped, and ever as he went, due watch upon him kept. Well hoped he, ere long that hardy guest, if ever covetous hand or lustful eye, or lips he laid on thing that liked him best, or ever sleep his eyestrings did untie, should be his prey, and therefore still on high he over him did hold his cruel claws, threatening with greedy gripe to do him die and rend in pieces with his ravenous paws, if ever he transgressed the fatal Stygian laws. That house's form within was rude and strong, like a huge cave hewn out of a rocky cliff, from whose rough vault the ragged breeches hung, embossed with massy gold of glorious gift, and with rich metal loaded every rift, that heavy ruin they did seem to threat, and over them a rachne hide did lift her cunning web and spread her subtle net, and wrapped in foul smoke and clouds more black than jet. Both roof and floor and walls were all of gold, but overgrown with dust and old decay, and hidden darkness that none could behold the hue thereof, for view of cheerful day did never in that house itself display, but a faint shadow of uncertain light, such as a lamp whose life does fade away, or as the moon clothed with cloudy night does show to him that walks in fear and sad afright. In all that room was nothing to be seen, but huge great iron chests and coffers strong, all barred with double bends that none could wean them to enforce by violence or wrong. On every side they placid were along, but all the ground with skulls was scatter-ed, and dead men's bones which round about were flung, whose lives it seemed while on there was shed, and their vile carcasses now left unburied. They forward passed, Naguyon yet spoke word, till that he came unto an iron door, which to them opened of his own accord, and showed of riches such exceeding store as I of man did never see before, nor ever could within one place be found, though all the wealth which is or was of yore could gather it be through all the world around, and that above were added to that underground. The charge thereof unto a covetous sprite commanded was, who thereby did attend, and wearily awaited, day and night from other covetous fiends it to defend, who it to rob and ransack did intend. Then Mammon, turning to that warrior, said, Lo, hear the world is bliss, lo, hear the end, to which all men do aim. Rich to be made, such grace now to be happy is before thee laid. Sertes said he, I kneel thine offered grace, not to be made so happy to intend, another bliss before mine eyes I place, another happiness, another end, to them that list these base-regards I lend. But I in arms and in achievements brave do rather choose my flitting hours to spend, and to be lord of those that riches have, than them to have myself and be their servile slave. There at the fiend his gnashing teeth did grate and grieved so long to lack his greedy prey, for well he weaned that so glorious bait would tempt his guest to take thereof, I say. Had he so done, he had him snatched away, more light than culver in the falcon's fist, eternal god these save from such decay, but when as Mammon saw his purpose missed, him to entrap unwares, another way he whisked. Thence forward he him led and shortly brought on unto another room, whose door forthright to him did open, as it had been taught therein, and hundred ranges were in pipe, and hundred furnaces all burning bright, by every furnace many fiends did bide, deformed creatures horrible in sight, and every fiend his busy pains applied to melt the golden metal ready to be tried. One with great bellows gathered filling air, and with forced wind the fuel did inflame, another did the dying brand's repair with iron tongues and sprinkled off the same, with liquid waves fierce Vulcans raged to tame, whom my string them renewed his former heat, some scummed the dross that from the metal came, some stirred the malt-nore with ladles great, and every one did swink, and every one did sweat. But when as earthly white they present saw, glistening in arms and battleous array, from their hot work they did themselves withdraw to wonder at the sight, for till that day they never creatures saw that came that way, their staring eyes sparkling with fervent fire and ugly shapes did nigh the man dismay, that were it not for shame he would retire, till that him thus bespake their sovereign lord and sire. Behold thy fairest son with mortal eye, that living eye before did never see the thing that thou did crave so earnestly, to it, whence all the wealth late showed by me preceded, lo, now is revealed to thee, here is the fountain of the world is good, now therefore, if thou wilt enrich it be, advise thee well and change thy willful mood, lest thou perhaps hereafter wish and be withstood. Suffice it then, thou money-gourd quoth he, that all thine idle offers I refuse, all that I need I have, what needeth me to covet more than I have cause to use. With such vain shows thy wildlings vile abuse, but give me leave to follow mine in prize, mammon was much displeased, yet not he choose, but bear the vigour of his bold misprise, and thence him forward-lead him further to entice. He brought him through a dark, some narrow straight to a broad gate all built of beaten gold. The gate was open, but their end did wait a sturdy villain, striding stiff and bold, as if that highest god defy he would. In his right hand an iron club he held, but he himself was all of golden mould, yet had both life and sense and well could weld that cursed weapon when his cruel foes he quelled. Distain he called it was, and did disdain to be so cold, and whoso did him call, stern was his look, and full of stomach vane, his portents terrible, and his stature tall, far picing, thight of men terrestrial, like a huge giant of the Titans race that made him scorn all creatures great and small. And with his pride all others' power deface, more fit amongst black fiends than men to have his place. Soon as those glitter and arms he did aspire that with their brightness made that darkness light, his harmful club he ganned her hurdle high and threatened battle to the fairy knight, who likewise ganned himself to battle-dite, till Mammon did his hasty hand withhold, and counselled him abstain from perilous fight for nothing might abash the villain-bold, nor mortal steel impers his miscreated mould. So having him with reason pacified and the fierce Karl commanding to forbear, he brought him in, the room was large and wide as if some guild or solemn temple were. Many great pillars did upbear the massy roof and riches huge sustain, and every pillar decked was full-deer with crowns and diadems and titles vane, which mortal princes wore whilst they on earth did reign. A rout of people there assembled were of every sort and nation under sky, which with great uproar pressed to draw near to the upper part where was advanced high a stately siege of sovereign majesty, and there on sat a woman gorgeous, gay, and richly clad in robes of royalty that never earthly prince in such array his glory did enhance and pompous pride display. Her face right wondrous fair did seem to be broad beauty's beam great brightness through through the dim shade that all men might it see, yet was not that same her own native hue but wrought by art and counterfeited show, thereby more lovers unto her to call, nevertheless most heavenly fair in deed and view she by creation was till she did fall. Thenceforth she sought for help to cloak her crime with all. There as in glistering glory she did sit she held a great gold chain elinked well whose upper end to highest heaven was knit and lower part did reach to lowest hell and all that press did round about her swell to catch and hold of that long chain thereby to climb aloft and others to excel that was ambition, rash desire to stye and every link thereof a step of dignity. Some thought to raise themselves to high degree by riches and unrighteous reward some by close shouldering, some by flattery others through friends, others for base regard and all by wrong ways for themselves prepared those that were up themselves kept others low those that were low themselves held others hard nor suffered them to rise or greater grow but every one did strive his fellow down to throw which when as Guion saw he can inquire what meant that press about that ladies throne and what she was that did so high aspire him mammon answered that goodly one whom all that folk with such contention do flock about my dear my daughter is honour and dignity from her alone derived are and all this world is bliss for which she men do strive few get but many miss and fair Philotime she rightly hight the fairest white that waneth under sky but that this dark some nether world her light doth dim with horror and deformity worthy of heaven and high felicity from whence the gods have her for envy thrust but sith thou hast found favour in mine eye thy spouse I will her make if that thou lust that she may the advance for works and merits just Gramercy Mammon said the gentle night for so great grace and offered high state but I the lamb frail flesh and earthly white unworthy match for such immortal mate myself well vote and mine unequal fate and were I not yet is my trouth applied and love avowed to other lady late that to remove the same I have no might to change love causeless is reproach to war like night Mammon and Moved was with inward wroth yet forcing it to feign him forth then sled through grisly shadows by a beaten path into a garden goodly garnished with herbs and fruits whose kinds moat not be read not such as earth out of her fruitful womb throws forth to men sweet and well savoured but direful deadly black both leaf and bloom fit to adorn the dead and deck the dreary tomb their mournful Cyprus grew in greatest store and trees of bitter gall and heaven sad dead sleeping poppy and black helibor cold collochintida and tetra mad mortal samnitus and kikuta bad with which the unjust and thinians made to die wise Socrates who thereof quaffing glad poured out his life and last philosophy to the fair Critias his dearest Bellamy the garden of preserpina this height and in the midst thereof a silver seat with a thick arbor goodly over diet in which she often used from open heat herself to shroud and pleasures to entreat next there unto did grow a goodly tree with branches broad disbred and body great clothed with leaves that none the wood moat see and load nor with fruit as thick as it might be their fruit were golden apples glistering bright that goodly was their glory to behold on earth like never grew no living white like ever saw but they from hence were sold for those which Hercules with conquest bold got from great Atlas daughters hence began and planted there did bring forth fruit of gold and those with which the Ubean young man one swift Atlanta went through craft he her out ran here also sprung that goodly golden fruit with which a contious got his lover true whom he had long time sought with fruitless suit here each that famous golden apple grew the which amongst the gods forced at a through for which thy deen ladies disagreed till partial Paris tempted Venus do and had of her fair Helen for his mead that many noble Greeks and Trojans made to bleed the wall like elf much wondered at this tree so fair and great that shadowed all the ground and his broad branches laden with rich feed did stretch themselves without the utmost bound of this great garden compass with a mound which overhanging they themselves did steep in a black flood which flowed about it round that is the river of cock cooters deep in which full many souls do endless whale and weep which to behold he clump up to the bank and looking down saw many damned whites in those sad waves which die for deadly stank plunged continually off cruel sprites that with their piteous cries and yelling shrites they made the further shore resound and wide amongst the rest of those same roofful sites one cursed creature he by chance is spied that drenched lay full deep under the garden side deep was he drenched to the utmost chin yet gaped still as coveting to drink of the cold liquor which he waded in and stretching forth his hand did often think to reach the fruit which grew upon the brink but both the fruit from hand and flood from mouth did fly back and made him vainly swink the wireless he starved with hunger and with drought he daily died yet never thoroughly dying could the night him seeing labor so in vain asked who he was and what he meant thereby who groaning deep thus answered him again most cursed of creatures under sky low tantalus I hear tormented lie of whom high jove want while am feasted be low here I now for want of food do die but if that thou be such as I the see of grace I pray thee give to eat and drink to me nay nay thou greedy tantalus quoth he abide the fortune of thy present fate and unto all that live in high degree in sample being of mind in temperate to teach them how to use their present state then gan the cursed wretch allowed to cry accusing highest jove and gods in great unique blaspheming heaven bitterly as author of injustice there to let him die he looked a little further and inspired another wretch whose carcass deep was drent within the river which the same did hide but both his hands most filthy feculent above the water were on high extent and feigned to wash themselves incessantly yet nothing cleaner were for such intent but rather foul a cement to the eye so lost his labor vain and idle industry the night him calling ask it who he was who lifting up his head him answered thus I pilot am the falsest judge alas and most unjust that by unrighteous and wicked doom to Jews despicious delivered up the Lord of life to die and did a quite a murderer feloness the wireless my hands I washed in purity the wireless my soul was soiled with foul iniquity infinite moe tormented in like pain he there beheld too long here to be told no mammon would there let him long remain for terror of the tortures manifold in which the damned souls he did behold but roughly him bespake thou fearful fool I take his not of that same fruit of gold no cities down on that same silver stool to rest thy weary person in the shadow call all which he did to do him deadly fall in frail intemperance through sinful bait to which if he inclined had at all that dreadful fiend which did behind him wait would him have rent in thousand pieces straight but he was wary wise in all his way and well perceived his deceitful slight ne'er suffered lust his safety to betray so goodly did be guile the guiler of the prey and now he has so long remained there that vital powers ganwex both weak and one for want of food and sleep which too up bear like mighty pillars this frail life of man that none without the same endurance can for now three days of men were full out wrought since he this hardy enterprise began for thy great mammon fairly he besought into the world to guide him back as he him brought the God though loath yet was constrained to bay for longer time than that no living white below the earth might suffered be to stay so back again him brought to living light but also soon as his enfeebled sprite can suck this vital air into his breast as overcome with two exceeding might the life did flit away out of her nest and all his senses were with deadly fit oppressed and of canto seven of book two of Edmund Spencer's fairy queen book to canto eight the legend of sir guy and this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information are to volunteer go to LibriVox dot org the fairy queen by Edmund Spencer book to the legend of sir guy and canto eight sir guy on laid in swoon is by a crates sons despoiled whom Arthur soon hath rescued and pain in brethren foiled is there a care in heaven and is there love in heavenly spirits to these creatures base that may compassion of their evils move there is else much more wretched were the case of men than beasts but oh the exceeding grace of highest God that loves his creatures so and all his works with mercy doth embrace that a blessed angels he sends to and fro to serve to wicked man to serve his wicked foe how often do they their silver bowers leave to come to suck or us that suck or want how often do they with golden pinions cleave the flitting skies like flying pursuant against foul fiends to aid us militant they for us fight they watch and duly ward and their bright squadrons round about us plant and all for love and nothing for reward oh why should heavenly God to men have such regard during the while that guy on did abide in mammon's house the Palmer whom while here that wanton maid of passage had denied by further search had passage found elsewhere and being on his way approached near where guy on lay in trance when suddenly he heard a voice that call it loud and clear come hither come hither oh come hastily that all the fields resounded with the rueful cry the Palmer lent his ear unto the noise to we to call it so importantly again he heard a more f-forced voice that bad him come in haste he by and by his feeble feet directed to the cry which to that shady delve him brought at last where mammon earth did son his threshery there the good guy on he found slumbering fast in senseless dream which sighted first him sore aghast beside his head there said of fair young man of wondrous beauty and of freshest years whose tender bud to blossom new began and flourish fair above his equal peers his snowy front curled with golden hairs like Phoebus face adorned with sunny rays divinely shown and two sharp winged shears decked with diverse plumes like painted jays were fixed at his back to cut his airy ways like as Cupido on idea and hill when having laid his cruel bow away and mortal arrows where with you to fill the world with murderous spoils and bloody prey with his fair mother he him dites to play and with his goodly sisters graces three the goddess pleases with his wanton play suffers herself through sleep beguiled to be the wilds the other ladies mind their merry glee whom when the palmer saw a bash he was through fear and wonder that he not could say till him the child bespoke long lacked alas have been thy faithful aid in hard assay while's deadly fit thy pupil doth dismay behold this heavy sight thou reverend sire but dread of death and dollar do away for life air long shall to her home retire and he that breathless seems shall courage bold respire the charge with God doth unto me a ret of his dear safety I to thee command yet will I not forgo may yet forget the care thereof myself unto the end but evermore him sucker and defend against his foe and mine watch thou I pray for evil is it hand him to offend so having said effed soonce he again display his painted nimble wings and vanished quite away the Palmer seeing his left empty place and his slow eyes beguiled of their sight walks sore afraid and standing still a space gazed after him as foul escaped by flight at last him turning to his charge behind with trembling hand his troubled pulse can try where finding life not yet dislodged quite he much rejoiced and curd it tenderly as chicken newly hatched from dreaded destiny at last he spied where towards him did pace to pain him nights all armed as bright as sky and them beside an aged sire did trace in far before a light foot page did fly that breathed strife and troubles enmity those were the two sons of the craties old who meeting erst with Archimago sly for by the idle strand of him were told that he which erst them combatted was guy on bold which to avenge on him they dearly vowed wherever that on ground they moat him find false Archimage provoked their courage proud and strife full Aiton in their stubborn mind coals of contingent in hot violence tied now being they come whereas the Palmer say keeping that slumbered course to him assigned well knew they both his person sit of late with him in bloody arms they rashly did debate whom when pyroclies saw inflamed with rage that sire he fouled bespade thou dotted vile that with thy bruteness shinsed thy comely age abandoned soon I read the cative spoil of that same outcast carcass that air while made itself famous through false treachery and crowned his coward crest with nightly style low where he now inglorious doth lie to prove he lived ill that it did thus foully die to whom the Palmer fearless answered 30s night you've been too much to blame thus for to blot the honor of the dead and with foul cowardice his carcass ashamed whose living hands immortalized his name vile as the vengeance on the land which is cold and in the base to bark at sleeping fame was never white of that treason of him told yourself his prowess proved and found him fierce and bold then said Kymo please Palmer thou dost doubt neck hence the prowess near knighthood deem save as thou seized our hears but well I his puisons trial made extreme yet gold all is not that doth golden seam nay all good nights that shake well spear and shield the worth of all men by their end esteem and then do praise or do reproach them yield bad therefore I him deem that thus lies dead on field good or bad can his brother fierce reply what do I rec sit that he died in tire or what a doth his bad death now satisfy the greedy hunger of revenge in iron sit the wrathful hand rotten not her own desire yet since no way is left to wreak my spite I will him read of arms the victors hire and of that shield more worthy of good night for why should a dead dog bedecked in armor bright fair sir said then the Palmer suppliant for nighthoods love do not so foul a deed nay blame your honor with so shameful vaunter vile revenge to spoil the dead of weed is sacrilege and doth all sins exceed but leave these relics of his living might to deck his hearse and trap his tomb black steed what hearse or steed said he should he have died but be entombed in the raven or the kite with that rude hand upon his shield he laid and the other brother again his helm on lace both fiercely bent to have him disarrayed till that they spied where towards them did pace an armored night of bold and bounteous grace whose squire bore after him an ebb and lance and covered shield well can him so far space the enchanter by his arms and aminance when under him he saw his Libyan steed to prance and to those brethren said rise rise by live and unto battle do yourselves address for yonder comes the prowess tonight alive Prince Arthur flower of grace and nobilesse that hath to pain him night's rot great distress and thousand sergeants folly done to die that word so deep did in their hearts impress that both effed soonce upstarted furiously and again themselves prepare to battle greedily but fierce pyroclies lacking his own sword the wanton thereof now greatly gained a plane and Archimage besought him that afford which he had brought for Pregadocio vain so would I sit the enchanter glad and faint between to you this sword you to defend or ought that else your honor might maintain but that this weapons power I well have canned to be contrary to the work which you intend for that same night own sword this is of your which Merlin made by his almighty art for that his nursing when he knighthood swore therewith to do in his foes eternal smart a metal first he mixed with Mediwart that no enchantment from his dent might save then it in flames of Etna brought apart and seven times dip it in the bitter wave of hellish sticks which hidden virtue to it gave the virtue is that neither a steel nor stone the stroke thereof from entrance may defend never maybe use it by his phone they forced his rightful owner to offend they ever with it break may ever bend where for more do your it rightfully his height in vain therefore periodically should I lend the same to the against his Lord to fight for sure it would deceive thy labor and I might foolish old man said then the pagan Roth that weenest words of charms may force with stand soon shall tell see and then believe for truth that I can carve with this enchanted brand his Lord's own flesh therewith out of his hand that virtuous steel rudely touched away and a guy on the shield about his rusty bond so ready died fierce battle to a say and matches brother proud in betelus array by this that stronger night and presence came and goodly salved them who not again him answered as courtesy became but with stern looks and stomach disdain gave signs of grudge and discontentment vain then turning to the palmer he gained spy where at his feet with sorrowful domain and deadly hue an armored course did lie in whose dead face he read great magnanimity said he then to the palmer reverend sire what a great misfortune hath pitied this night or did his life her fatal date expire or did he fall by treason or by fight however sure I knew his piteous plight not one nor other said the palmer grave hath him befallen but clouds of deadly night a while his heavy eyelids covered hair and all his senses drown it in deep senseless wave which his cruel foes that stand hereby advantage to revenge their spite would him disarm and treat him shamefully unworthy usage of redoubted night but fair you sir whose honorable sight doth promise hope of help and timely grace moat I beseech to succour his sad plight and by your power protect his feeble case first praise of knighthood is foul outrage to deface palmer said he no night so doomed I wean as to do an outrage to a sleeping ghost there was there ever noble courage seen that in advantage would his poisons boast honor is least where odds appearth most may be that better reason will assuage the rash revenger's heat words well disposed have disinflamed rage if not leave unto me thy night's last patronage though turning to those brethren thus bespoke ye warlike pair whose valorous great might it seems just wrongs to vengeance do provoke to wreak your wrath on this dead seeming night moat I lay the storm of your despite and settle patience in so furious heat not to debate the challenge of your right but for this carcass pardon I entreat whom fortune hath already laid in lowest seat to whom kaimuklis said for what art thou that makes thyself his daisman to prolong the vengeance pressed or who shall let me now on this vile body from to wreak my wrong and make his carcass as the outcast why should not that dead carrion satisfy the guilt which if he livid had thus long his life for due revenge should dear abye the trespass still doth live albeit the person die indeed then said the prince the evil done dies not when breath the body first doth leave but from the grandsire to the nephew's son and all his seed the curse doth often cleave till vengeance utterly the guilt bereave so straightly God doth judge but gentle night that doth against the dead his hand up rear his honor stains with rancor and despite and great disparagement makes to his former might pyroklis again reply the second time and to him said now felon sure I read thou art partaker of his crime therefore by termigant thou shalt be dead with that his hand more sad than lump of lead uplifting high he weaned with more dure his own good sword more dure to cleave his head the faithful steel such treason not endure but swerving from the mark his lord's life did assure yet was the force so furious and so fel that horse and man it made to real aside neither less the prince would not forsake his cell for well of yore he learned had to ride but full of anger fiercely to him cried false traitor miscreant thou broken hast the law of arms to strike foe undefied but thou thy treason's fruit I hope shalt taste right sour and feel the law that which thou hast defaced with that his baleful spear he fiercely bent against the pagan's breast and therewith thought his cursed life out of her lodge have rent but ere the point arrive it where it ought that seven-fold shield which he from Gaon brought he cast between to ward the britter's sound through all those folds the steelhead passage wrought and through his shoulder pierced wherewith to ground he groveling fell all gored in his gushing wound which when his brother saw fraught with great grief and wrath he to him leaped furiously and foully said by my own cursed thief that direful stroke thou dearly sheltered by then hurling up his harmful blade on high smote him so hugely on his haughty crest that from his saddle force it him to fly else mote it needs down to his manly breast have cleft his head in twain and life thence dispossessed now was the prince in dangerous distress wanting his sword when he on foot should fight his single spear could do him small redress against two foes of so exceeding might the least of which was for any night and now the other whom he did not had reared himself again to cruel fight three times more furious and more recent unmindful of his wound of his fate ignorant so both at once him charge on either side with hideous strokes and importable power that force it him his ground to traverse wide and wisely watch to ward his tower for in his shield as thick as stormy shower their strokes did rain yet did he never quail nay backward shrink but is a steadfast tower whom foe with double battery doth assail them on her bulwark bears and bids them not avail so stoutly he withstood their strong assay till that it last when he advantage spied his poignant spear he thrust with puisant sway at proud chemoclease while his shield was wide that through his thigh the mortal steel did gride he swarming with the force within his flesh did break the lance and let the head abide out of the wound of the red blood flowed fresh that underneath his feet soon made a purple flesh horribly then he began to rage and rail cursing his gods and himself damning deep else when his brother saw the red blood railed down so fast and all his arm are steep for very felness loud he began to weep and said kative curse on thy cruel hand that twice hath sped yet shall it not the keep from the third brunt of this my fatal brunt where the dreadful death behind thy back doth stand with that he struck and the other struck with all that nothing seemed moat bear so monstrous might the one upon his coverage shield did fall and glancing down would not his owner bite but the other did upon his truncheon smite which hewing quite a thunder further way it made and on his hacketone did light the witch dividing with importune sway it seized in his right side and there the dint did stay wide was the wound and a large lukewarm flood red as the rose thins gushed grievously that when the pain him spied the streaming blood gave him great heart and hope of victory on the other side in huge perplexity the prince now stood having his weapon broke not could he hurt but still at ward did lie yet with his truncheon he so rudely stroke kymoocles twice that twice him forced his foot revoke whom when the palmer saw in such distress sir guy ensword he lightly to him wrought and said, fair son great god thy right hand bless to use that sword so wisely he sought glad was the night and with fresh courage fraught when his again he armed it felt his hand then like a lion which hath long time sought his rabid welps and at last them fond amongst the shepherd's swings then wexeth would end yarned so fierce he laid about him and dealt blows on either side that neither male could hold the thunder of his throws now to pyroclies many strokes he told eft to kymoocles twice so many fold then back again turning his busy hand then both at once compelled with courage bold to yield wide way to his heart thrilling brand and though they both stood stiff yet could not both withstand as salvage bull whom to fierce mastives bait when rancor doth with rage him once in gore forgets with weary ward them to await but with his dreadful horns them drives afore or flings aloft or treads down in the floor breathing out wrath and bellowing disdain that all the forest quakes to hear him roar so raged prince twixt his foe min twain that neither could his mighty toisons sustain but ever at pyroclies when he smit who guions shield cast ever him before where on the fairy queens portrait was writ his hand relented and the stroke for bore and his dear heart the picture again adore which oft the pain him saved from deadly war but him henceforth the same can save no more for now arrive it is his fatal hour that note avoided be by earthly skill or power for when kymoclies saw the foul reproach which them appeached pricked with guilty shame and inward grief he fiercely again approach resolved to put away that and desert of fame and on the hoburg stroke the prince so sore that quite it is parted all the linkage frame and pierced it to the skin but bit no more yet made him twice to reel that never moved before where at ring fierce with wrath and sharp regret he stroke so hugely with his borrowed blade that it pierced the pagans burgannate the hard steel did deep invade into his head and cruel passage made quite through his brain he tumbling down on ground breathed out his ghost which to the infernal shade fast flying there eternal torment found for all the sins were with his lewd life did abound which when his german saw the stony fear and ran to his heart and all his sins dismayed nay thin's forth life nay courage did appear but is a man whom hellish fiends have frayed long trembling still he stood at last thus said traitor what hast thou done however may that cursed hand so cruelly if swayed against that night harrow and well away after so wicked deed how lunger day with that all desperate as loathing light and with revenge desiring soon to die assembling all his force and utmost might with his own sword he fierce at him did fly and stroke and find and lashed outrageously without a reason or regard well knew the prince with patience and sufferance sly so hasty heat soon to subdue though when this breathless wokes that a battle can renew as when a windy tempest bloweth high that nothing may withstand his stormy stour the clouds as things afraid before him fly but all so soon as his outrageous power is laid they fiercely then begin to shower and as in scorn of his spent stormy