98
The first Booke of
Cant. VII.
And in the midst thereof one pretious stoneOf wondrous worth, and eke of wondrous mights,Shapt like a Ladies head, exceeding shone,Like Hesperus emongst the lesser lights,And stroue for to amaze the weaker sights;Thereby his mortall blade full comely hongIn yuory sheath; ycaru'd with curious slights;Whose hilts were burnisht gold, and handle strongOf mother perle, and buckled with a golden tong.
His haughtie Helmet, horrid all with gold,Both glorious brightnesse, and great terrour bredd,For all the crest a Dragon did enfoldWith greedie pawes, and ouer all did spreddHis golden winges: his dreadfull hideous heddClose couched on the beuer, seemd to throwFrom flaming mouth bright sparckles fiery redd,That suddeine horrour to faint hartes did show;And scaly tayle was stretcht adowne his back full low.
Vpon the top of all his loftie crest,A bounch of discolourd diuersly,With sprincled pearle, and gold full richly drest,Did shake, and seemd to daunce for iollity,Like to an Almond tree ymounted hyeOn top of greene Selinis all alone,With blossoms braue bedecked daintily;Her tender locks do tremble euery oneAt euerie little breath, that vnder heauen is blowne.
His warlike shield all closely couer'd was,Ne might of mortall eye be euer seene;Not made of steeld, nor of enduring bras,Such earth mettals soone consumed beene:
But
