Cant. VII.
the Faery Queene.
101
But woefull Lady, let me you intrete,For to vnfold the anguish of your hart:Mishaps are maistred by aduice discrete,And counsell mitigates the greatest smart;Found neuer help, who neuer would his hurts impart.
O but (qd. she) great griefe will not be tould,And can more easily be thought, then said.Right so (qd. he) but he, that neuer would,Could neuer: will to might giues greatest aid.But griefe (qd. she) does greater grow displaid,If then it find not helpe, and breeds despaire.Despaire breeds not (qd. he) where faith is staid.No faith so fast (qd. she) but flesh does paire.Flesh may empaire (qd. he) but reason can repaire.
His goodly reason, and well guided speachSo deepe did settle in her gracious thought,That her perswaded to disclose the breach,Which loue and fortune in her heart had wrought,And said faire Sir, I hope good hap hath broughtYou to inquere the secrets of my griefe,Or that your wisedome will direct my thought,Or that your prowesse can me yield reliefe:Then heare the story sad, which I shall tell you briefe.
The forlorne Maiden, whom your eies haue seeneThe laughing stocke of fortunes mockeries,Am th'onely daughter of a King and Queene,Whose parents deare whiles equal destinies,Did come about, and their felicitiesThe fauourable heauens did not enuy,Did spred their rule through all the territories,Which Phison and Euphrates floweth by,And Gehons golden waues doe wash continually.
Till
