Of griesly Pluto she the daughter was, For to the highest she did still aspyre, Or, if ought higher were than that, did it desyre. And proud Lucifera men did her call, That made her selfe a Queene, and crownd to be; But did usurpe with wrong and tyrannie And strong advizement of six wisards old, That, with their counsels bad, her kingdome did uphold. Soone as the Elfin knight in presence came, And false Duessa, seeming Lady fayre, A gentle Husher, Vanitie by name, Made rowme, and passage for them did prepaire : Of her high throne; where they, on humble knee With loftie eyes, halfe loth to looke so lowe, Suddein upriseth from her stately place The roiall Dame, and for her coche doth call : Out of the East the dawning day doth call. So forth she comes; her brightnes brode doth blaze. The heapes of people, thronging in the hall, Doe ride each other upon her to gaze : Her glorious glitterand light doth all mens eies amaze. Great Junoes golden chayre; the which, they say, To Joves high hous through heavens bras-paved way, UNA'S MARRIAGE. Then forth he called that his daughter fayre, The fairest Un', his onely daughter deare, His onely daughter and his only hayre; Who forth proceeding with sad sober cheare, As bright as doth the morning starre appeare Out of the East, with flaming lockes bedight, To tell that dawning day is drawing neare, And to the world does bring long-wished light: So faire and fresh that Lady shewd herselfe in sight. So faire and fresh, as freshest flowre in May; For she had layd her mournefull stole aside, And widow-like sad wimple throwne away, Wherewith her heavenly beautie she did hide, Whiles on her wearie journey she did ride; And on her now a garment she did weare All lilly white, withoutten spot or pride, That seemd like silke and silver woven neare; But neither silke nor silver therein did appeare. The blazing brightnesse of her beauties beame, And glorious light of her sunshyny face, To tell were as to strive against the streame : Oft had he seene her faire, but never so faire dight. His owne two hands the holy knotts did knitt, Then gan they sprinckle all the posts with wine, The whiles one sung a song of love and jollity. During the which there was an heavenly noise Heard sownd through all the Pallace pleasantly, Like as it had bene many an Angels voice Singing before th' eternall majesty, In their trinall triplicities on hye: Yett wist no creature whence that hevenly sweet Himselfe thereby refte of his sences meet, And ravished with rare impression in his sprite. 1 torch. Great joy was made that day of young and old, And solemne feast proclaymd throughout the land, That their exceeding merth may not be told : Suffice it heare by signes to understand The usuall joyes at knitting of loves band. Thrise happy man the knight himselfe did hold, Possessed of his Ladies hart and hand; And ever, when his eie did her behold, His heart did seeme to melt in pleasures manifold. In full content he there did long enjoy; His deare delights were hable to annoy ; For we be come unto a quiet rode, Where we must land some of our passengers, On the long voiage whereto she is bent: Well may she speede, and fairely finish her intent! [From The Faerie Queene, Bk. ii.] PHAEDRIA AND THE IDLE LAKE. A harder lesson to learne Continence In joyous pleasure then in grievous paine; For sweetnesse doth allure the weaker sence So strongly, that uneathes it can refraine From that which feeble nature covets faine: But griefe and wrath, that be her enemies And foes of life, she better can abstaine : Yet vertue vauntes in both her victories, And Guyon in them all shewes goodly maysteries. Whom bold Cymochles traveiling to finde, With boughes and arbours woven cunningly, And therein sate a Lady fresh and fayre, Which when far off Cymochles heard and saw, The little barke unto the shore to draw, Soone hearkened, and her painted bote streightway She would admit, albe the knight her much did pray. Eftsoones her shallow ship away did slide, Or winged canvas with the wind to fly: For it was taught the way which she would have, And both from rocks and flats it selfe could wisely save. |