Cant. VI.
the Faery Queene
89
Whereas that Pagan proud him selfe did rest,In secret shadow by a fountaine side:Euen he it was, that earst would haue supprestFaire Vna: whom when Satyrane espide,With foule reprochfull words he boldly him defide.
And said, Arise thou cursed Miscreaunt,That hast with knightlesse guile and trecherous trainFaire knighthood fowly shamed, and doest vauntThat good knight of the Redcrosse to haue slain:Arise, and with like treason now maintainThy guilty wrong, or els thee guilty yield.The Sarazin this hearing, rose amain,And catching vp in hast his three square shield,And shining helmet, soone him buckled to the field.
And drawing nigh him said, Ah misborn Elfe,In euill houre thy foes thee hither sent,Anothers wrongs to wreak vpon thy selfe:Yet ill thou blamest me, for hauing blentMy name with guile and traiterous intent;That Redcrosse knight, perdie, I neuer slew,But had he beene, where earst his armes were lent,Th'enchaunter vaine his errour should notrew:But thou his errour shalt, I hope now prouen trew.
Therewith they gan, both furious and fell,To thunder blowes, and fiersly to assaileEach other, bent his enimy to quell,That with their force they perst both plate & maile,And made wide furrowes in their fleshes fraile,That it would pitty any liuing eie.Large floods of blood adowne their sides did raile;But floods of blood could not them satisfie:Both hongred after death: both chose to win, or die.
