56
The first Booke of
Cant. IIII.
And heathnish shield, wherein with letters redWas writt Sans ioy, they new arriued find:Enflam'd with fury and fiers hardy hed,He seemd in hart to harbour thoughts vnkind,And nourish bloody vengeaunce in his bitter mind.
Who when the shamed shield of slaine Sans foyHe spide with that same Fary champions page,Bewraying him, that did of late destroyHis eldest brother, burning all with rageHe to him lept, and that same enuious gageOf victors glory from him snacht away:But th'Elfin knight, which ought that warlike wage,Disdaind to loose the meed he wonne in fray,And him rencountring fierce, reskewd the noble pray.
Therewith they gan to hurtlen greedily,Redoubted battaile ready to darrayne,And clash their shields, and shake their swerds on hy,That with their sturre they troubled all the traine;Till that great Queene vpon eternall paineOf high displeasure, that ensewen might,Commaunded them their fury to refraine,And if that either to that shield had right,In equall lists they should the morrow next it fight.
Ah dearest Dame, qd. then the Paynim bold,Pardon the error of enraged wight,Whome great griefe made forgett the raines to holdOf reasons rule, to see this recreaunt knight,No knight, but treachour full of false despightAnd shameful treason, who through guile hath slaynThe prowest knight, that euer field did fight,Euen stout Sans foy (O who can then refrayn?)Whose shield he beares renuerst, the more to heap disdayn.
And
