64
The first Booke of
Cant. V.
In haste Duessa from her place arose,And to him running sayd, O prowest knight,That euer Ladie to her loue did chose,Let now abate the terrour of your might,And quench the flame of furious despight,And bloodie vengeance; lo th'infernall powresCouering your foe with cloud of deadly night,Haue borne him hence to Plutoes balefull bowres.The conquest yours, I yours, the shield, and glory yours.
Not all so satisfide, with greedy eyeHe sought all round about, his thristy bladeTo bathe in blood of faithlesse enimy;Who all that while lay hid in secret shade:He standes amazed, how he thence should fade.At last the trumpets Triumph sound on hie,And running Heralds humble homage made,Greeting him goodly with new victorie,And to him brought the shield, the cause of enmitie.
Wherewith he goeth to that soueraine Queene,And falling her before on lowly knee,To her makes present of his seruice seene:Which she accepts, with thankes, and goodly gree,Greatly aduauncing his gay cheualree.So marcheth home, and by her takes the knight,Whom all the people followe with great glee,Shouting, and clapping all their hands on hight,That all the ayre it fils, and flyes to heauen bright.
Home is he brought, and layd in sumptuous bed:Where many skilfull leaches him abide,To salue his hurts, that yet still freshly bled.In wine and oyle they wash his woundes wide,
And
