Lo look I I the the man, man whose whose Muse Muse whilome formerly did did maske, masquerade As as time time her her taught, taught in in lowly humble Shepheards shepherd's weeds, clothes Am am now now enforst forced a a far far vnfitter unfitter taske, task For for trumpets trumpets sterne stern to to chaunge exchange mine my Oaten oat-straw reeds, pipes And and sing sing of of Knights knights' and and Ladies ladies' gentle noble deeds; deeds Whose whose prayses praises hauing having slept slept in in silence silence long, long Me, me all all too too meane, humble the the sacred sacred Muse Muse areeds appoints To to blazon proclaim broad widely emongst among her her learned learned throng: company Fierce fierce warres wars and and faithfull faithful loues loves shall shall moralize give the moral to my my song. song
Helpe help then, then O O holy holy Virgin virgin chiefe chief of of nine, nine Thy your weaker weaker Nouice novice to to performe perform thy your will, will Lay set forth forth out out of of thine your everlasting everlasting scryne chest The the antique ancient rolles, scrolls which which there there lye lie hidden hidden still, still Of of Faerie Faerie knights knights and and fairest fairest Tanaquill, Tanaquill Whom whom that that most most noble noble Briton British Prince prince so so long long Sought sought through through the the world, world and and suffered suffered so so much much ill, harm That that I I must must rue lament his his vndeserued undeserved wrong: wrong O O helpe help thou you my my weake weak wit, mind and and sharpen sharpen my my dull dull tong. tongue
And and thou you most most dreaded dreaded impe child of of highest highest Ioue, Jove Faire fair Venus Venus' sonne, son that who with with thy your cruell cruel dart arrow At at that that good good knight knight so so cunningly skilfully didst did roue, shoot That that glorious glorious fire fire it it kindled kindled in in his his hart, heart Lay lay now now thy your deadly deadly Heben ebony bow bow apart, aside And and with with thy your mother mother milde gentle come come to to mine my ayde: help Come come both, both and and with with you you bring bring triumphant triumphant Mart, Mars In in loues loves and and gentle noble iollities merriments arrayd, dressed After after his his murdrous murderous spoiles plundering and and bloudy bloody rage rage allayd. calmed
And and with with them them eke, also O O Goddesse goddess heauenly heavenly bright, bright Mirrour mirror of of grace grace and and Maiestie majesty diuine, divine Great great Lady lady of of the the greatest greatest Isle, island whose whose light light Like like Phœbus Phoebus' lampe lamp throughout throughout the the world world doth does shine, shine Shed shed thy your faire fair beames beams into into my my feeble feeble eyne, eyes And and raise raise my my thoughts thoughts too too humble humble and and too too vile, lowly To to thinke think of of that that true true glorious glorious type image of of thine, yours The the argument subject of of mine my afflicted humbled stile: style The the which which to to heare, hear vouchsafe, be pleased O O dearest dearest dred revered one a-while. awhile
The the Patron champion of of true true Holinesse, holiness Foule foul Errour Error doth does defeate: defeat Hypocrisie Hypocrisy him him to to entrapp’, entrap Doth does to to his his home home entreate. invite
A a Gentle noble Knight knight was was pricking riding on on the the plaine, plain Y (old prefix of the past participle) cladd clad in in mightie mighty armes armour and and siluer silver shielde, shield Wherein in which old old dints dents of of deepe deep wounds wounds did did remaine, remain The the cruell cruel markes marks of of many’ many a a bloudy bloody fielde; battlefield Yet yet armes weapons till until that that time time did did he he neuer never wield: wield His his angry angry steede horse did did chide fret at his his foming foaming bitt, bit As as much much disdayning scorning to to the the curbe curb to to yield: yield Full very iolly gallant knight knight he he seemd, seemed and and faire handsomely did did sitt, sit As as one one for for knightly knightly giusts jousts and and fierce fierce encounters combats fitt. fit
But but on on his his brest breast a a bloudie bloody Crosse cross he he bore, carried The the deare dear remembrance remembrance of of his his dying dying Lord, Lord For for whose whose sweete sweet sake sake that that glorious glorious badge badge he he wore, wore And and dead dead as as liuing living euer always him him ador’d: adored Vpon on his his shield shield the the like same was was also also scor’d, marked For for soueraine supreme hope, hope which which in in his his helpe help he he had: had Right very faithfull faithful true true he he was was in in deede deed and and word, word But but of of his his cheere face did did seeme seem too too solemne solemnly sad; serious Yet yet nothing nothing did did he he dread, fear but but euer always was was ydrad. feared
Vpon on a a great great aduenture quest he he was was bond, bound That which greatest greatest Gloriana Gloriana to to him him gaue, gave That that greatest greatest Glorious glorious Queene queen of of Faerie Faerie lond, land To to winne win him himself worship, honour and and her her grace favour to to haue, have Which which of of all all earthly earthly things things he he most most did did craue; crave And and euer ever as as he he rode, rode his his hart heart did did earne yearn To to proue prove his his puissance might in in battell battle braue splendid Vpon on his his foe, enemy and and his his new new force strength to to learne; test Vpon on his his foe, enemy a a Dragon dragon horrible horrible and and stearne. fierce
A a louely lovely Ladie lady rode rode him him faire gracefully beside, beside Vpon on a a lowly humble Asse donkey more more white white then than snow, snow Yet yet she she much much whiter, whiter but but the the same same did did hide hide Vnder under a a vele, veil that that wimpled folded was was full very low, low And and ouer over all all a a blacke black stole robe she she did did throw, throw As as one one that who inly inwardly mournd: mourned so so was was she she sad, sad And and heauie sorrowful sat sat vpon on her her palfrey mount slow: slow Seemed seemed in in heart heart some some hidden hidden care sorrow she she had, had And and by by her her in on a a line leash a a milke milk white white lambe lamb she she lad. led
So so pure pure an an innocent, innocent as as that that same same lambe, lamb She she was was in in life life and and euery every vertuous virtuous lore, learning And and by by descent descent from from Royall royal lynage lineage came came Of of ancient ancient Kings kings and and Queenes, queens that who had had of in yore former times Their their scepters sceptres stretcht stretched from from East east to to Westerne western shore, shore And and all all the the world world in in their their subiection subjection held; held Till until that that infernall hellish feend fiend with with foule foul vprore havoc Forwasted devastated all all their their land, land and and them them expeld: expelled Whom whom to to auenge, avenge she she had had this this Knight knight from from far far compeld. summoned
Behind behind her her farre far away away a a Dwarfe dwarf did did lag, lag That who lasie lazy seemd seemed in in being being euer always last, last Or or wearied tired with with bearing carrying of of her her bag bag Of of needments necessities at at his his backe. back Thus thus as as they they past, passed The the day day with with cloudes clouds was was suddeine suddenly ouercast, overcast And and angry angry Ioue Jove an a hideous hideous storme storm of of raine rain Did did poure pour into into his his Lemans mistress's lap lap so so fast, hard That that euery every wight person to to shrowd shelter it it did did constrain, force And and this this faire fair couple couple eke also to to shroud shelter themselues themselves were were fain. obliged
Enforst forced to to seeke seek some some couert shelter nigh near at at hand, hand A a shadie shady groue grove not not far far away away they they spide, spotted That that promist promised ayde help the the tempest storm to to withstand: withstand Whose whose loftie tall trees trees yclad clothed with with sommers summer's pride, splendour Did did spred spread so so broad, wide that that heauens heaven's light light did did hide, hide Not not perceable penetrable with by power power of of any any starre: star And and all all within inside were were pathes paths and and alleies avenues wide, wide With with footing treading worne, worn and and leading leading inward inward farre: far Faire fair harbour shelter that that them to them seemes; seems so so in in they they entred entered arre. have
And and foorth onward they they passe, go with with pleasure pleasure forward forward led, led Ioying rejoicing to to heare hear the the birdes birds' sweete sweet harmony, harmony Which who therein there shrouded sheltered from from the the tempest storm dred, dreadful Seemd seemed in in their their song song to to scorne mock the the cruell cruel sky. sky Much greatly can did they they prayse praise the the trees trees so so straight straight and and hy, tall The the sayling sailing (used for ship masts) Pine, pine the the Cedar cedar proud proud and and tall, tall The the vine-prop vine-propping Elme, elm the the Poplar poplar neuer never dry, dry The the builder building Oake, oak sole only king king of of forrests forests all, all The the Aspine aspen good good for for staues, staffs the the Cypresse cypress funerall. funeral
The the Laurell, laurel meed reward of of mightie mighty Conquerours conquerors And and Poets poets sage, wise the the Firre fir that that weepeth weeps still, continually The the Willow willow worne worn of by forlorne forsaken Paramours, lovers The the Eugh yew obedient obedient to to the the benders bender's will, will The the Birch birch for for shaftes, arrows the the Sallow willow for for the the mill, mill The the Mirrhe myrrh sweete sweetly bleeding bleeding in in the the bitter bitter wound, wound The the warlike warlike Beech, beech the the Ash ash for for nothing nothing ill, bad The the fruitfull fruitful Oliue, olive and and the the Platane plane-tree round, spreading The the caruer carver's Holme, holm-oak (or holly) the the Maple maple seeldom seldom inward inwardly sound. sound
Led led with by delight, delight they they thus thus beguile while away the the way, journey Vntill until the the blustring blustering storme storm is is ouerblowne; blown over When when weening thinking to to returne, return whence from where they they did did stray, stray They they cannot cannot finde find that that path, path which which first first was was showne, shown But but wander wander too to and and fro fro in in wayes ways vnknowne, unknown Furthest furthest from from end the end then, than when when they they neerest nearest weene, think That which makes makes them them doubt, fear their their wits wits be are not not their their owne: own So so many many pathes, paths so so many many turnings turnings seene, seen That that which which of of them them to to take, take in in diuerse divided doubt doubt they they been. are
At at last last resoluing resolving forward forward still still to to fare, go Till until that that some some end end they they finde find or either in in or or out, out That that path path they they take, take that which beaten beaten seemd seemed most most bare, bare And and like likely to to lead lead the the labyrinth labyrinth about; around Which which when when by by tract track they they hunted followed had had throughout, to the end At at length length it it brought brought them them to to a a hollow hollow caue, cave Amid among the the thickest thickest woods. woods The the Champion champion stout brave Eftsoones at once dismounted dismounted from from his his courser horse braue, fine And and to to the the Dwarfe dwarf a a while while his his needlesse unneeded spere spear he he gaue. gave
Be be well well aware, on guard quoth said then then that that Ladie lady milde, gentle Least in case suddaine sudden mischiefe harm ye you too too rash rashly prouoke: provoke The the danger danger hid, hidden the the place place vnknowne unknown and and wilde, wild Breedes breeds dreadfull dreadful doubts: fears Oft often fire fire is is without without smoke, smoke And and perill danger without without show: sign therefore therefore your your stroke blow Sir sir knight knight with-hold, hold back till till further further triall test made. made Ah ah Ladie lady (said said he) he shame shame were would be to to reuoke draw back The the forward forward footing step for for an a hidden hidden shade: shadow Vertue virtue giues gives her her selfe self light, light through through darkenesse darkness for for to to wade. pass
Yea yes but but (quoth said she) she the the perill danger of of this this place place I I better better wot know then than you, you though though now now too too late late To to wish wish you you backe back returne return with with foule shameful disgrace, disgrace Yet yet wisedome wisdom warnes, warns whilest while foot foot is is in in the the gate, entrance To to stay stop the the steppe, step ere before forced forced to to retrate. retreat This this is is the the wandring wandering wood, wood this this Errours Error's den, den A a monster monster vile, vile whom whom God God and and man man does do hate: hate Therefore therefore I I read advise beware. take care Fly flee fly flee (quoth said then then The the fearefull frightened Dwarfe:) dwarf this this is is no no place place for for liuing living men. men
But but full full of of fire fire and and greedy eager hardiment, boldness The the youthfull young knight knight could could not not for for ought anything be be staide, stopped But but forth forward vnto to the the darksome dark hole hole he he went, went And and looked looked in: in his his glistring glittering armor armour made made A a litle little glooming dim light, light much much like like a a shade, shadow By by which which he he saw saw the the vgly ugly monster monster plaine, clearly Halfe half like like a a serpent snake horribly horribly displaide, spread out But but th’other the other halfe half did did womans woman's shape shape retaine, keep Most most lothsom, disgusting filthie, filthy foule, foul and and full full of of vile vile disdaine. disgust
And and as as she she lay lay vpon on the the durtie dirty ground, ground Her her huge huge long long taile tail her her den den all all ouerspred, covered Yet yet was was in in knots knots and and many many boughtes coils vpwound, wound up Pointed tipped with with mortall deadly sting. sting Of from her her there there bred were born A a thousand thousand yong young ones, ones which which she she dayly daily fed, fed Sucking sucking vpon on her her poisonous poisonous dugs, teats eachone each one Of of sundry various shapes, shapes yet yet all all ill badly fauored: featured Soone soon as as that that vncouth strange light light vpon on them them shone, shone Into into her her mouth mouth they they crept, crept and and suddain suddenly all all were were gone. gone
Their their dam mother vpstart, started up out out of of her her den den effraide, frightened And and rushed rushed forth, out hurling swinging her her hideous hideous taile tail About around her her cursed cursed head, head whose whose folds coils displaid unfolded Were were stretcht stretched now now forth out at at length full length without without entraile. coiling She she lookt looked about, around and and seeing seeing one someone in in mayle armour Armed armed to at point, all points sought tried backe back to to turne turn againe; again For for light light she she hated hated as as the the deadly deadly bale, evil Ay always wont accustomed in in desert lonely darknesse darkness to to remaine, stay Where where plaine clearly none no one might could her her see, see nor nor she she see see any anyone plaine. clearly
Which which when when the the valiant brave Elfe elf perceiu’d, saw he he lept leapt As like a Lyon lion fierce fierce vpon on the the flying fleeing pray, prey And and with with his his trenchand sharp blade blade her her boldly boldly kept kept From from turning turning backe, back and and forced forced her her to to stay: stay Therewith at that enrag’d enraged she she loudly loudly gan began to to bray, roar And and turning turning fierce, fiercely her her speckled speckled taile tail aduaunst, raised Threatning threatening her her angry angry sting, sting him him to to dismay: terrify Who who nought not at all aghast, frightened his his mightie mighty hand hand enhaunst: raised The the stroke blow down down from from her her head head vnto to her her shoulder shoulder glaunst. glanced
Much much daunted shaken with by that that dint, blow her her sence senses was were dazd, dazed Yet yet kindling kindling rage, rage her her selfe self she she gathered gathered round, round And and all all attonce at once her her beastly beastly body body raizd raised With with doubled doubled forces strength high high aboue above the the ground: ground Tho then wrapping wrapping vp up her her wrethed twisted sterne tail arownd, around Lept leapt fierce fiercely vpon on his his shield, shield and and her her huge huge traine tail All all suddenly suddenly about around his his body body wound, wound That so that hand hand or or foot foot to to stirre move he he stroue tried in in vaine: vain God God helpe help the the man man so so wrapt wrapped in in Errours Error's endlesse endless traine. tail (also "trap")
His his Lady lady sad grieved to to see see his his sore severe constraint, confinement Cride cried out, out Now now now now Sir sir knight, knight shew show what what ye you bee, are Add add faith faith vnto to your your force, strength and and be be not not faint: faint-hearted Strangle strangle her, her else or she she sure surely will will strangle strangle thee. you That that when when he he heard, heard in in great great perplexitie, distress His his gall anger did did grate chafe for with griefe anguish and and high great disdaine, indignation And and knitting gathering all all his his force strength got got one one hand hand free, free Wherewith with which he he grypt gripped her her gorge throat with with so such great great paine, effort That that soone soon to to loose loosen her her wicked wicked bands bonds did did her her constraine. force
Therewith at that she she spewd vomited out out of of her her filthy filthy maw stomach A a floud flood of of poyson poison horrible horrible and and blacke, black Full full of of great great lumpes lumps of of flesh flesh and and gobbets chunks raw, raw Which which stunck stank so so vildly, foully that that it it forst forced him him slacke loosen His his grasping grasping hold, hold and and from from her her turne turn him himself backe: back Her her vomit vomit full full of of bookes books and and papers papers was, was With with loathly disgusting frogs frogs and and toades, toads which which eyes eyes did did lacke, lack And and creeping creeping sought sought way a way in in the the weedy weedy gras: grass Her her filthy filthy parbreake vomit all all the the place place defiled fouled has. has
As as when when old old father father Nilus Nile gins begins to to swell swell With with timely seasonal pride swelling aboue above the the Ægyptian Egyptian vale, valley His his fattie rich waues waters do do fertile fertile slime mud outwell, pour out And and ouerflow overflow each each plaine plain and and lowly low dale: valley But but when when his his later later spring flood gins begins to to auale, subside Huge huge heapes heaps of of mudd mud he he leaues, leaves wherein in which there there breed breed Ten ten thousand thousand kindes kinds of of creatures, creatures partly partly male male And and partly partly female female of from his his fruitfull fruitful seed; seed Such such vgly ugly monstrous monstrous shapes shapes elswhere elsewhere may can no no man man reed. see
The the same same so so sore severely annoyed troubled has has the the knight, knight That that welnigh nearly choked choked with by the the deadly deadly stinke, stink His his forces strength fade, fades ne nor can can no any longer longer fight. fight Whose whose corage courage when when the the feend fiend perceiu’d saw to to shrinke, shrink She she poured poured forth out out out of of her her hellish hellish sinke cesspit Her her fruitfull fruitful cursed cursed spawne spawn of of serpents snakes small, small Deformed deformed monsters, monsters fowle, foul and and blacke black as as inke, ink Which which swarming swarming all all about around his his legs legs did did crall, crawl And and him him encombred hampered sore, greatly but but could could not not hurt hurt at at all. all
As as gentle gentle Shepheard shepherd in in sweete sweet euen-tide, evening When when ruddy red Phœbus Phoebus gins begins to to welke fade in in west, west High high on on an a hill, hill his his flocke flock to to vewen view wide, widely Markes observes which which do do byte bite their their hasty hasty supper supper best; best A a cloud cloud of of combrous troublesome gnattes gnats do do him him molest, pester All all striuing striving to to infixe stick in their their feeble weak stings, stings That so that from from their their noyance annoyance he he no no where where can can rest, rest But but with with his his clownish coarse hands hands their their tender delicate wings wings He he brusheth brushes oft, often and and oft often doth does mar spoil their their murmurings. humming
Thus thus ill badly bestedd, placed and and fearefull afraid more more of of shame, shame Then than of of the the certaine certain perill danger he he stood stood in, in Halfe half furious furious vnto to his his foe enemy he he came, came Resolv’d determined in in minde mind all all suddenly suddenly to to win, win Or or soone soon to to lose, lose before before he he once once would would lin; stop And and strooke struck at at her her with with more more then than manly a man's force, force That so that from from her her body body full full of of filthie filthy sin sin He he raft cut off her her hatefull hateful head head without without remorse; pity A a streame stream of of cole coal black black bloud blood forth out gushed gushed from from her her corse. body
Her her scattred scattered brood, brood soone soon as as their their Parent parent deare dear They they saw saw so so rudely violently falling falling to to the the ground, ground Groning groaning full very deadly, deathly all all with with troublous anxious feare, fear Gathred gathered themselues themselves about around her her body body round, round Weening expecting their their wonted usual entrance entrance to to haue have found found At at her her wide wide mouth: mouth but but being being there there withstood blocked They they flocked flocked all all about around her her bleeding bleeding wound, wound And and sucked sucked vp up their their dying dying mothers mother's blood, blood Making making her her death death their their life, life and and eke also her her hurt harm their their good. good
That that detestable hateful sight sight him him much much amazde, stunned To to see see th’vnkindly the unnatural Impes offspring of of heauen heaven accurst, cursed Deuoure devour their their dam; mother on on whom whom while while so so he he gazd, gazed Hauing having all all satisfide satisfied their their bloudy bloody thurst, thirst Their their bellies bellies swolne swollen he he saw saw with with fulnesse fullness burst, burst And and bowels bowels gushing gushing forth: out well well worthy deserved end end Of of such those as who drunke drank her her life, life the she which who them them nurst; nursed Now now needeth needs him he no no lenger longer labour labour spend, spend His his foes enemies haue have slaine killed themselues, themselves with with whom whom he he should was to contend. fight
His his Ladie lady seeing seeing all, all that that chaunst, happened from from farre far Approcht approached in in hast haste to to greet welcome his his victorie, victory And and said, said Faire fine knight, knight borne born vnder under happy lucky starre, star Who who see see your your vanquisht defeated foes enemies before before you you lye: lie Well well worthy worthy be are you you of of that that Armorie, armour Wherein in which ye you haue have great great glory glory wonne won this this day, day And and proou’d tested your your strength strength on on a a strong strong enimie, enemy Your your first first aduenture: adventure many many such such I I pray, pray for And and henceforth from now on euer always wish, wish that that like similar ones succeed follow it it may. may
Then then mounted mounted he he vpon onto his his Steede horse againe, again And and with with the the Lady lady backward back sought tried to to wend; go That that path path he he kept, kept which which beaten trodden was was most most plaine, clearly Ne nor euer ever would would to to any any by-way side-path bend, turn But but still always did did follow follow one one vnto to the the end, end The that which which at at last last out out of of the the wood wood them them brought. brought So so forward forward on on his his way way (with with God God to as frend) friend He he passed went forth, on and and new new aduenture adventure sought; looked for Long long way way he he trauelled, travelled before before he he heard heard of of ought. anything
At at length last they they chaunst happened to to meet meet vpon on the the way way An an aged old Sire, man in in long long blacke black weedes clothes yclad, dressed His his feete feet all all bare, bare his his beard beard all all hoarie silvery gray, grey And and by by his his belt belt his his booke book he he hanging hanging had; had Sober serious he he seemde, seemed and and very very sagely wisely sad, solemn And and to to the the ground ground his his eyes eyes were were lowly humbly bent, lowered Simple plain in in shew, appearance and and voyde free of of malice malice bad, bad And and all all the the way way he he prayed, prayed as as he he went, went And and often often knockt beat his his brest, breast as as one one that who did did repent. repent
He he faire politely the the knight knight saluted, greeted louting bowing low, low Who who faire politely him him quited, greeted back as as that one who courteous courteous was: was And and after afterwards asked asked him, him if if he he did did know know Of of straunge strange aduentures, adventures which which abroad round about did did pas. happen Ah ah my my deare dear Sonne son (quoth said he) he how how should, should alas, sadly Silly simple old old man, man that who liues lives in in hidden hidden cell, cell Bidding saying his his beades prayers all all day day for for his his trespas, sins Tydings news of of warre war and and worldly worldly trouble trouble tell? tell With with holy holy father father sits suits not not with with such such things things to to mell. meddle
But but if if of of daunger danger which which hereby nearby doth does dwell, live And and homebred local euill evil ye you desire wish to to heare, hear Of of a a straunge strange man man I I can can you you tidings news tell, tell That who wasteth lays waste all all this this countrey region farre far and and neare. near Of of such such (said said he) he I I chiefly mainly do do inquere, ask And and shall will you you well well reward reward to for shew showing the the place, place In in which which that that wicked wicked wight person his his dayes days doth does weare: spend For for to to all all knighthood knighthood it it is is foule shameful disgrace, disgrace That that such such a a cursed cursed creature creature liues lives so so long long a a space. time
Far far hence from here (quoth said he) he in in wastfull desolate wildernesse wilderness His his dwelling home is, is by by which which no no liuing living wight person May may euer ever passe, pass but except thorough through great great distresse. distress Now now (sayd said the the Lady) lady draweth it draws toward towards night, night And and well well I I wote, know that that of from your your later recent fight fight Ye you all completely forwearied worn out be: are for for what what so so strong, strong But but wanting lacking rest rest will will also also want lack of in might? strength The the Sunne sun that that measures crosses heauen the sky all all day day long, long At at night night doth does baite feed his his steedes horses the the Ocean Ocean waues waves emong. among
Then then with with the the Sunne sun take take Sir, sir your your timely due rest, rest And and with with new new day day new new worke work at at once once begin: begin Vntroubled peaceful night night they they say say giues gives counsell advice best. best Right very well well Sir sir knight knight ye you haue have aduised advised bin, been (Quoth said then then that that aged old man;) man the the way way to to win win Is is wisely wisely to to aduise: consider now now day the day is is spent; over Therefore so with with me me ye you may may take take vp up your your In lodging For for this this same same night. night The the knight knight was was well well content: pleased So so with with that that godly pious father father to to his his home home they they went. went
A a little little lowly humble Hermitage hermitage it it was, was Downe down in in a a dale, valley hard close by by a a forests forest's side, side Far far from from resort the traffic of of people, people that who did did pas pass In in trauell travel to to and and froe: fro a a little little wyde apart There there was was an a holy holy Chappell chapel edifyde, built Wherein in which the the Hermite hermit dewly regularly wont used to to say say His his holy holy things prayers each each morne morning and and euentyde: evening Thereby nearby a a Christall crystal-clear streame stream did did gently gently play, ripple Which which from from a a sacred sacred fountaine spring welled welled forth up alway. always
Arriued arrived there, there the the little little house house they they fill, fill Ne nor looke look for for entertainement, hospitality where where none none was: was Rest rest is is their their feast, feast and and all all things things at at their their will; wish The the noblest noblest mind mind the the best best contentment contentment has. has With with faire pleasant discourse conversation the the euening evening so thus they they pas: pass For for that that old old man man of of pleasing pleasing wordes words had had store, plenty And and well well could could file polish his his tongue tongue as as smooth smooth as as glas; glass He he told told of of Saintes saints and and Popes, popes and and euermore always He he strowd scattered an a Aue-Mary Hail Mary after after and and before. before
The the drouping drooping Night night thus thus creepeth creeps on on them them fast, quickly And and the the sad heavy humour moisture loading weighing down their their eye eye liddes, lids As as messenger messenger of of Morpheus Morpheus on on them them cast sprinkled Sweet sweet slombring sleep-bringing deaw, dew the the which which to to sleepe sleep them them biddes. tells Vnto to their their lodgings rooms then then his his guestes guests he he riddes: sends Where where when when all all drownd drowned in in deadly deathlike sleepe sleep he he findes, finds He he to to his his study study goes, goes and and there there amiddes among His his Magick magic bookes books and and artes arts of of sundry various kindes, kinds He he seekes seeks out out mighty powerful charmes, spells to to trouble trouble sleepy sleepy mindes. minds
Then then choosing choosing out out few a few wordes words most most horrible, horrible (Let let none no one them them read) read thereof from them did did verses verses frame, compose With with which which and and other other spelles spells like equally terrible, terrible He he bad ordered awake to wake blacke black Plutoes Pluto's griesly grim Dame, wife And and cursed cursed heauen, heaven and and spake spoke reprochfull insulting shame slander Of about highest highest God, God the the Lord Lord of of life life and and light; light A a bold bold bad bad man, man that who dar’d dared to to call call by by name name Great great Gorgon, Gorgon (i.e. Demogorgon) Prince prince of of darknesse darkness and and dead deathly night, night At at which which Cocytus Cocytus quakes, trembles and and Styx Styx is is put put to to flight. flight
And and forth out he he cald called out out of of deepe deep darknesse darkness dred dreadful Legions legions of of Sprights, spirits the the which which like like little little flyes flies Fluttring fluttering about around his his euer forever damned damned hed, head A-waite await whereto to what their their seruice service he he applyes, puts To to aide help his his friends, friends or or fray frighten his his enimies: enemies Of of those those he he chose chose out out two, two the the falsest falsest twoo, two And and fittest best suited for in order to to forge fabricate true-seeming believable lyes; lies The the one one of of them them he he gaue gave a a message message too, to The the other other by by him him selfe self staide kept back other other worke work to to doo. do
He he making making speedy quick way way through through spersed dispersed ayre, air And and through through the the world world of of waters waters wide wide and and deepe, deep To to Morpheus Morpheus's house house doth does hastily quickly repaire. go Amid inside the the bowels depths of of the the earth earth full very steepe, deep And and low, low where where dawning dawning day day doth does neuer never peepe, peep His his dwelling home is; is there there Tethys Tethys his his wet wet bed bed Doth does euer always wash, wash and and Cynthia Cynthia still always doth does steepe soak In in siluer silver deaw dew his his euer-drouping ever-drooping hed, head Whiles while sad gloomy Night night ouer over him him her her mantle cloak black black doth does spred. spread
Whose whose double twin gates gates he he findeth finds locked locked fast, tight The the one one faire beautifully fram’d made of of burnisht polished Yuory, ivory The the other other all all with with siluer silver ouercast; covered And and wakefull watchful dogges dogs before in front of them them farre far do do lye, lie Watching watching to to banish drive away Care Worry their their enimy, enemy Who who oft often is is wont accustomed to to trouble trouble gentle gentle Sleepe. Sleep By past them them the the Sprite spirit doth does passe pass in in quietly, quietly And and vnto to Morpheus Morpheus comes, comes whom whom drowned sunk deepe deep In in drowsie drowsy fit spell he he findes: finds of of nothing nothing he he takes takes keepe. notice
And and more, besides to to lulle lull him him in in his his slumber sleep soft, soft A a trickling trickling streame stream from from high high rocke rock tumbling tumbling downe down And and euer-drizling ever-drizzling raine rain vpon upon the the loft, roof (or the sky above; sense disputed) Mixt mixed with with a a murmuring murmuring winde, wind much much like like the the sowne sound Of of swarming swarming Bees, bees did did cast put him him in into a a swowne: trance No no other other noyse, noise nor nor peoples people's troublous disturbing cryes, cries As as still always are are wont accustomed t’annoy to trouble the the walled walled towne, town Might could there there be be heard: heard but but carelesse carefree Quiet Quiet lyes, lies Wrapt wrapped in in eternall eternal silence silence farre far from from enemyes. enemies
The the messenger messenger approching approaching to to him him spake, spoke But but his his wast wasted wordes words returnd returned to to him him in in vaine: vain So so sound soundly he he slept, slept that that nought nothing mought could him him awake. wake Then then rudely roughly he he him him thrust, shoved and and pusht pushed with with paine, effort Whereat at which he he gan began to to stretch: stretch but but he he againe again Shooke shook him him so so hard, hard that that forced forced him him to to speake. speak As as one one then then in in a a dreame, dream whose whose dryer too dry braine brain Is is tost tossed with by troubled troubled sights visions and and fancies imaginings weake, feeble He he mumbled mumbled soft, softly but but would would not not all entirely his his silence silence breake. break
The the Sprite spirit then then gan began more more boldly boldly him him to to wake, wake And and threatned threatened vnto to him him the the dreaded dreaded name name Of of Hecate: Hecate whereat at which he he gan began to to quake, tremble And and lifting lifting vp up his his lumpish heavy head, head with with blame reproach Halfe half angry angry asked asked him, him for for what what he he came. came Hither here (quoth said he) he me me Archimago Archimago sent, sent He he that who the the stubborne stubborn Sprites spirits can can wisely skilfully tame, tame He he bids tells thee you to to him him send send for for his his intent purpose A a fit suitable false false dreame, dream that that can can delude deceive the the sleepers sleeper's sent. senses
The the God god obayde, obeyed and and calling calling forth out straight right way away A a diuerse misleading (sense disputed) dreame dream out out of of his his prison prison darke, dark Deliuered handed it it to to him, him and and downe down did did lay lay His his heauie heavy head, head deuoide free of of carefull anxious carke, worry Whose whose sences senses all all were were straight at once benumbd numbed and and starke. stiff He he backe back returning returning by by the the Yuorie ivory dore, door Remounted climbed back vp up as as light light as as chearefull cheerful Larke, lark And and on on his his litle little winges wings the the dreame dream he he bore carried In in hast haste vnto to his his Lord, master where where he he him him left left afore. before
Who who all all this this while while with with charmes spells and and hidden secret artes, arts Had had made made a a Lady lady of out of that that other other Spright, spirit And and fram’d made of from liquid clear ayre air her her tender delicate partes parts So so liuely, lifelike and and so so like like in in all all mens men's sight, eyes That that weaker weaker sence senses it it could could haue have rauisht carried away quight: completely The the maker maker selfe himself for despite all all his his wondrous wonderful witt, cleverness Was was nigh nearly beguiled deceived with by so so goodly beautiful sight: sight Her her all all in in white white he he clad, dressed and and ouer over it it Cast threw a a blacke black stole, robe most most like likely to to seeme seem for for Vna Una fit. suitable
Now now when when that that ydle empty dreame dream was was to to him him brought, brought Vnto to that that Elfin fairy knight knight he he bad told him him fly, fly Where where he he slept slept soundly soundly void free of of euill evil thought, thought And and with with false false shewes appearances abuse deceive his his fantasy, imagination In in sort manner as as he he him him schooled taught priuily: secretly And and that that new new creature creature borne born without without her her dew, due (i.e. born unnaturally) Full full of of the the makers maker's guile, cunning with with vsage behaviour sly sly He he taught taught to to imitate imitate that that Lady lady trew, true Whose whose semblance likeness she she did did carrie carry vnder under feigned false hew. appearance
Thus thus well well instructed, instructed to to their their worke work they they hast, hurry And and comming coming where where the the knight knight in in slomber sleep lay, lay The the one one vpon upon his his hardy bold head head him himself plast, placed And and made made him him dreame dream of of loues loves and and lustfull lustful play, play That so that nigh nearly his his manly manly hart heart did did melt melt away, away Bathed bathed in in wanton lewd blis bliss and and wicked wicked ioy: joy Then then seemed seemed him to him his his Lady lady by beside him him lay, lay And and to to him him playnd, complained how how that that false false winged winged boy boy Her her chast chaste hart heart had had subdewd, conquered to to learne learn Dame Lady pleasures Pleasure's toy. game
And and she she her her selfe self of of beautie beauty soueraigne supreme Queene, queen Faire beautiful Venus Venus seemde seemed vnto to his his bed bed to to bring bring Her, her whom whom he he waking waking euermore always did did weene think To to be be the the chastest chastest flowre, flower that that ay ever did did spring grow On on earthly earthly braunch, branch the the daughter daughter of of a a king, king Now now a a loose loose Leman mistress to to vile base seruice service bound: bound And and eke also the the Graces Graces seemed seemed all all to to sing, sing Hymen Hymen iõ hail Hymen, Hymen dauncing dancing all all around, around Whilst while freshest freshest Flora Flora her her with with Yuie ivy girlond garland crownd. crowned
In in this this great great passion passion of of vnwonted unaccustomed lust, lust Or or wonted usual feare fear of of doing doing ought anything amis, wrong He he started jumped vp, up as as seeming seeming to to mistrust suspect Some some secret secret ill, harm or or hidden hidden foe enemy of of his: his Lo look there there before before his his face face his his Lady lady is, is Vnder under blake black stole robe hyding hiding her her bayted baited hooke, hook And and as as if halfe half blushing blushing offred offered him him to to kis, kiss With with gentle gentle blandishment flattery and and louely loving looke, look Most most like like that that virgin virgin true, true which who for for her her knight knight him him took. took
All all cleane completely dismayd dismayed to to see see so so vncouth strange sight, sight And and halfe half enraged enraged at at her her shamelesse shameless guise, behaviour He he thought meant haue to have slaine slain her her in in his his fierce fierce despight: anger But but hasty hasty heat heat tempring moderating with with sufferance patience wise, wise He he stayde held back his his hand, hand and and gan began himselfe himself aduise to counsel To to proue test his his sense, senses and and tempt test her her faigned pretended truth. faithfulness Wringing wringing her her hands hands in in wemens women's pitteous pitiful wise, way Tho then can began she she weepe, weep to to stirre stir vp up gentle noble ruth, pity Both both for for her her noble noble bloud, blood and and for for her her tender tender youth. youth
And and said, said Ah ah Sir, sir my my liege sovereign Lord lord and and my my loue, love Shall shall I I accuse blame the the hidden hidden cruell cruel fate, fate And and mightie mighty causes causes wrought worked in in heauen heaven aboue, above Or or the the blind blind God, god that that doth does me me thus thus amate, dismay For for hoped hoped-for loue love to to winne win me me certaine certain hate? hate Yet yet thus thus perforce by force he he bids tells me me do, do or or die. die Die to die is is my my dew: due yet yet rew pity my my wretched wretched state state You, you whom whom my my hard hard auenging avenging destinie destiny Hath has made made iudge judge of of my my life life or or death death indifferently. impartially
Your your owne own deare dear sake sake forst forced me me at at first first to to leaue leave My my Fathers father's kingdome, kingdom There there she she stopt stopped with with teares; tears Her her swollen swollen hart heart her her speach speech seemd seemed to to bereaue, take away And and then then againe again begun, began My my weaker weaker yeares years Captiu’d enslaved to to fortune fortune and and frayle frail worldly worldly feares, fears Fly flee to to your your faith faith for for succour help and and sure sure ayde: aid Let let me me not not dye die in in languor distress and and long long teares. tears Why why Dame lady (quoth said he) he what what hath has ye you thus thus dismayd? dismayed What what frayes frightens ye, you that who were were wont accustomed to to comfort comfort me me affrayd? afraid
Loue love of of your your selfe, self she she said, said and and deare grievous constraint distress Lets lets me me not not sleepe, sleep but but wast waste the the wearie weary night night In in secret secret anguish anguish and and vnpittied unpitied plaint, lament Whiles while you you in in carelesse carefree sleepe sleep are are drowned drowned quight. completely Her her doubtfull dubious words words made made that that redoubted feared knight knight Suspect suspect her her truth: faithfulness yet yet since since no’vntruth no untruth he he knew, knew Her her fawning fawning loue love with with foule foul disdainefull disdainful spight scorn He he would would not not shend, rebuke but but said, said Deare dear dame lady I I rew, regret That that for for my my sake sake vnknowne unknown such such griefe grief vnto to you you grew. grew
Assure assure your your selfe, self it it fell fell not not all all to to ground; ground For for all quite so as deare dear as as life life is is to to my my hart, heart I I deeme consider your your loue, love and and hold hold me myself to to you you bound; bound Ne nor let let vaine vain feares fears procure cause your your needlesse needless smart, pain Where where cause cause is is none, none but but to to your your rest rest depart. go Not not all wholly content, content yet yet seemd seemed she she to to appease quiet Her her mournefull mournful plaintes, laments beguiled cheated of of her her art, scheme And and fed fed with with words, words that that could could not not chuse choose but but please, please So so slyding gliding softly softly forth, away she she turnd turned as as to to her her ease. rest
Long long after after lay lay he he musing pondering at at her her mood, mood Much much grieu’d grieved to to thinke think that that gentle noble Dame lady so so light, loose For for whose whose defence defence he he was was to to shed shed his his blood. blood At at last last dull dull wearinesse weariness of of former earlier fight fight Hauing having yrockt rocked a to sleepe sleep his his irkesome weary spright, spirit That that troublous troubling dreame dream gan began freshly anew tosse toss his his braine, brain With with bowres, bedrooms and and beds, beds and and Ladies ladies' deare dear delight: delight But but when when he he saw saw his his labour labour all all was was vaine, vain With with that that misformed misshapen spright spirit he he backe back returnd returned againe. again