10
The first Booke of
Cant. I.
Or soone to lose, before he once would lin;And stroke at her with more then manly force,That from her body full of filthie sinHe raft her hatefull heade without remorse;A streame of cole black blood forth gushed frō her corse
Her scattred brood, soone as their Parent deareThey saw so rudely falling to the ground,Groning full deadly, all with troublous feare,Gathred themselues about her body round,Weening their wonted entrance to haue foundAt her wide mouth: but being there withstoodThey flocked all about her bleeding wound,And sucked vp their dying mothers bloud,Making her death their life, and eke her hurt their good.
That detestable sight him much amazde,To see th'vnkindly Impes of heauen accurst,Deuoure their dam; on whom while so he gazd,Hauing all satisfide their bloudy thurst,Their bellies swolne he saw with fulnesse burst,And bowels gushing forth: well worthy endOf such as drunke her life, the which them nurst;Now needeth him no lenger labour spend,His foes haue slaine themselues, with whom he should contend.
His Lady seeing all, that chaunst, from farreApprocht in hast to greet his victorie,And saide, Faire knight, borne vnder happie starre,Who see your vanquisht foes before you lye:Well worthie be you of that Armory,Wherein ye haue great glory wonne this day,And proou'd your strength on a strong enimie,Your first aduenture: many such I pray,And henceforth euer wish, that like succeed it may.
Then
