212
The second Booke of
Cant. II.
That her on either side doe sore assay,And boast to swallow her in greedy graue;Shee scorning both their spights, does make wide way,And with her brest breaking the fomy waue,Does ride on both their backs, & faire her self doth saue.
So boldly he him beares, and rusheth forthBetweene them both, by conduct of his blade.Wondrous great prowesse and heroick worthHe shewd that day, and rare ensample made,When two so mighty warriours he dismade:Attonce he wards and strikes, he takes and paies,Now forst to yield, now forcing to inuade,Before, behind, and round about him laies:So double was his paines, so double be his praise.
Straunge sort of fight, three valiaunt knights to seeThree combates ioine in one, and to darraineA triple warre with triple enmitee,All for their Ladies froward loue to gaine,Which gotten was but hate. So loue does raineIn stoutest minds, and maketh monstrous warre;He maketh warre, he maketh peace againe,And yett his peace is but continuall iarre:O miserable men, that to him subiect arre.
Whilst thus they mingled were in furious armes,The faire Medina with her tresses torne,And naked brest, in pitty of their harmes,Emongst them ran, and falling them beforne,Besought them by the womb, which them had born,And by the loues, which were to them most deare,And by the knighthood, which they sure had sworn,Their deadly cruell discord to forbeare,And to her iust conditions of faire peace to heare.
But
