afrighted look The cursed Dagger from his hand she took And in despite upon the ground it flung Next lets him know from her becoming Tongue The rash intention of his evil mind And how such Actions leave their stain behind Guilt far more hellish than the Dragon's might VVith whom you boldly late design'd to fight Clear first Despair's black Tincture from your heart Lest deeds conspicuous fail your future part And thus resolv'd leave soon this wicked place VVhose owner dares defie Celestial Grace As she advis'd away they went in haste VVhich as the Churl observ'd and that his Guest Withdrew in safety much the VVretch repin'd To live the Ills not done which he design'd And chusing for his end a well-try'd Rope To hang himself he took a swinging scope But death he could not by that means obtain VVhich he a thousand times had prov'd in vain Decreed by Pluto that he ne're should die But as he liv'd find sad Eternity CANTO X. The Argument The faithful Knight by Una's brought To Piety's Abode Where he is strict Repentance taught And led to Heaven's high Road. WHat force of human understanding can 'Gainst spiritual Foes defend th' assaulted man. When best disposed Mortals must confess That 't is Heaven's Grace that gives their Souls success And that their mortal Forms want Power or Will Other than do proceed from Fonds of Ill. This heavenly Una had beheld of late â—n her lov'd Red-Cross Knight's distress'd Estate Whose body 's strength to feebleness impair'd â—y delicate Food and Care she much repair'd â—ut with far greater Diligence design'd â—rom pious Comforts to confirm his mind And by Heaven's cleansing Grace expunge the stain VVhich might of his late Blemish yet remain Not distant far an ancient Fabrick stood VVhere numbers oft implor'd their supream Good. And had been by a gracious Matron rul'd For VVisdom and best deeds divinely soul'd VVho tedious hours of Night did there implore And day-time spent in giving to the Poor This wondrous VVoman for her heavenly Grace VVas Caelia call'd thus living at this place From Heaven Fame tells she did directly come And here but pattern'd her Celestial Room Of her were born three Daughters far more fair Then VVoman's Beauty when beyond compare Of which Fidelia's and Speranza's Fame Tho both espous'd do Virgin-Glory claim The third Charissa whom a lovely Fear Injoy'd and thence had many Pledges dear Arriv'd they find the Door was watch'd and lock'd For fear of Foes at which when they had knock'd An aged Porter with a Snow-white Head Humilto call'd and full of heavenly dread Leaning upon his Staff in humble sort Admits their passage through this sacred Port. â—ow they were forc'd to stoop as they pass'd in To shew best Actions humbly should begin Being enter'd they a spacious Court do see Pleasant and plain and to all Walkers free Where them a comely Person frankly meets Who with best welcome their great Persons greets â—nd as he earnestly express'd the same Conducts them till unto the Hall they came There kindly them receives a gentle Squire â—odest his Name and Comely his Attire â—is Title Reverence highly here renown'd â—â—om whom they due and grave Reception foun'd 〈◊〉 sober steps he leads 'em to his Dame â—he aged Mistress of this sacred Frame Who busie at her Beads was all this while â—nd now just ended had her holy Toil. When rising up with well beseeming Grace She Matron like t'wards them directs her pace And as the matchless Una she beheld Her Soul with most delightful Joy was fill'd And her imbracing said O happy Earth Where e're thou treadst more bright than Stars thy Birth And in thy Virgin Person dost exceed All that of Vertue 's Goddess men can read And by thy painful Travels sought'st to raise Thy Parents Succour to thy endless Praise What Grace inspir'd did you direct this way Or did you me not knowing hither stray Strange it is here an armed Knight to see Or man that 's rais'd by worldly Dignity Hard 't is for them Heaven's narrow Path to find Whose Souls are to their boundless Pleasures kind Matron saies Una hither I am addrest My weary Limbs and this fair Knight to rest Desirous to approach you sacred Dame Whose Praises far have spread your heavenly Fame This holy Patroness having heard these words Her kindly welcome to the Knight affords Letting him know that for his firmest Rest His mind should be by inward Comfort blest And as they thus of sundry things had talk'd Two lovely Virgins to this Presence walk'd Demure their Looks and with a modest Grace Mov'd Arm in Arm still keeping equal pace Of which the eldest was Fidelia bright Whose Lusters shin'd like Stars of clearest light Her Person in a milk-white Vest was clad And in one hand a Golden Cup she had With Wine and Water to the Brim up fill'd In which a Serpent lay that Man had kill'd A sight that gave to others horrid fear Whilst her firm Brow most dauntless did appear In t'other Hand a Book upright she held Hard to be understood and with Blood seal'd A shining Azure Vest Speranza wore That was her constant Ornament before But in her Visage less serene did seem Than from Fidelia's Looks the Eye could deem As if too near her in most thoughts did dwell Doubt that her lively Hope strove to expel Upon her Arm a Silver Anchor lay And with erected Eyes she still did pray They seeing Una towards her next move T' express to her their Courtesie and Love. And since the Frailties of her Knight they knew They blush'd yet for her sake him welcom'd too Gladly the Hero did receive this Grace From them whose Vertues claim'd divinest place And to requite their Favours does confess That all Heroicks ought to them address Then Una ask'd what caus'd their Sister dear The kind Charissa now not to appear Or wants she Health or can't for business come Hither and take next yours her lovely Room Not so said they but forth she may'nt remove Since late of her is born a Son of Love That adds to her bless'd number known before May ne're she want such said fair Una more Nor shall my Visit now disturb her rest Whose teeming mind so oft has others blest Then answer'd aged Caelia dearest Dame Whose Vertues merit most embellish'd Fame Accept with your great Hero such Repast As your weak Strengths require for Suff'rings past My sacred Bowers shall freely that afford But see that there he wears no Arms or Sword. Then calls she an Attendant who him led Unto a fit Apartment's easie Bed. And when refresh'd their Persons were by Rest Of fair Fidelia Una does request That her lov'd Knight might in her School be plac'd Till well his Soul should her high Science taste Which granted she the Red-Cross Knight does teach How his thoughts might Heaven's sublime prospect reach Then ope's her sacred Book which writ in Blood None e're without her aid had understood And unto him
subdu'd and Beauty made his Spoil And thus unto his lofty Castle come Plac'd the sad Knight in his worst Dungeon Room Soon did Duessa's charming Beams allure His haughty Soul t'elate her Glory more Giving her Gold and Purple Robes to wear And sees her in a Tripple-Crown appear And next with affluence of all things great He makes her Partner of his Love and State Nor ceases to advance her yet more high When for her wondrous terror to man's Eye A Beast he sets her on that had been bred In a dark Den and there most foully fed Such Fame assures was that prodigious Snake VVhich great Alcides kill'd by Lerna's Lake Tho that vast Serpent still could Heads renew That cost him endless Perils to subdue But this huge Monster uglier far does show As seven vast Fronts doe from his Body grow Steel was his Breast his Wings of scaly Brass And what then all yet more stupendious was His Eyes in Blood imbru'd no less did shine Than Chrystal that by Art men best refine His Tail to Heaven's high Concave reach'd in length And with extorted power and borrow'd strength The shining Lamps from thence it proudly sought Down to compel as things supreamly nought Whilst on this Beast rais'd to a seven-fold dread Sate false Duessa with her scept'red Head. The piteous Dwarf that watch'd his Master's Steed As on the boughs or grass h'was pleas'd to seed And saw his Knight a wretched Captive made Not guessing how the Springs his strength allay'd Took up the Vest he left and splendent Shield VVhich Fate not then allow'd him force to weild Nor yet his poynant Spear so oft had pierc'd The Arms of Foes and heavily distress'd Bears these sad Monuments in haste away But not long travels ere upon the way He woful Una met as passing on To find her dear lov'd Knight and what he'ad done Fast had she flew the Pagan's lustful sight Whilst Satyran 'gainst his fierce flames did fight And as her Eyes now on the Dwarf she cast Signs she beheld that hast'ned Grief too fast And falling down with harshest Sorrow struck Her Breath her faithful Bosom next forsook Nor in her vital parts did motion live But what her dying Heart by Throbs could give This trusty Messenger soon wish'd to die As he perceiv'd her saddest Misery Yet outwardly some little Comfort shews And to recall her Life his Strength does use Rubbing her Temples and her lovely Brow With every part from whence Life seem'd to flow That by his diligence her Soul he won To live in her who'ad beautify'd it long And as her doleful Spirit was restor'd Appear'd like one that most to live deplor'd And moving upwards her lamenting Eyes Repin'd that Heaven's bright Lamps throughout the Skies Were not close Mourners or Earth leave again Dark as in Chaos first it did remain Since Fate has now by its irreg'lar part Abruptly him disseised from my Heart Leaving me life more wish'd for Death to crave Till I like him obscurely have my Grave What time so fit as this my Breath to cease VVhen in my Soul Love finds no happy place VVhich words pronounc'd she fell into a Swoond Whilst soon the careful Dwarf lifts her from ground Thrice he reviv'd her by his busie pain And saw her Eyes their VVindows ope again So nimbly he apply'd his Strength and Skill As Death's cold leasure wanted time to kill And next with trembling veins and faultring tongue To speak with lowest Voice she had begun And finding now against her own desire That Stars for her continuance did conspire Go on saies she unto thy Story 's end Since nothing can my present grief extend Nor any parcel I expect to hear Abate or ease my future sad Despair The worst's already felt and left no more VVhate're thou utter'st for me to deplore Briefly he then discoursing to her told The sub'tle Deeds of Archimago old And false Duessa's fair bewithing Charms With how her Knight won her from Pagan arms Then mentious into Trees two Lovers chang'd The house of Pride and impious Vice there rang'd The Combat which her Red-Cross Hero fought With fam'd Sans-Ioy and how the Giant stout Her Knight surpriz'd and him a Captive made Whether to die or live 't is doubtful said All this she heard with patience to the end Striving to master Griefs that still contend And almost rent her tender Heart to find The Man she valu'd next to Heaven unkind Whose Virtue and Misfortunes pity mov'd And as she these recounts afresh she lov'd VVith torment still improving her sad cross As Sorrow did enhance her Lover's loss VVishing her Perils for his sake endur'd Had but his Life if not his Love secur'd Which thought again incites her stedfast mind Her Hero dead or living yet to find And calling to the Dwarf to guide her way Ore Hills and Dales she thus distress'd does stray Her tender Cheeks and Limbs enduring cold Like Blossoms in fierce Seasons do unfold At last it hapen'd by good Fortune's guide That towards her a goodly Knight did ride And for his bold attendant had a Squire Ready to aid him with his Martial Fire The Knight's bright armour shin'd like glancing rays Which Phoebus by reflection oft displays And was so firm array'd from Head to Feet That Steel to wound him could no passage get Athwart his Breast in clusters Gems he wore That twinkling shin'd like Stars of Heaven's best store Amidst thereof was plac'd a Stone most bright Which liken'd Lady's-head unto the sight His wounding Sword by his Side comely hung And in an Ivory carved Sheath seem'd long It s Hilts were Gold its hardy Handle made Of choicest Pearl and by a rich Belt stay'd His stately Helmet tho of purest Gold Did on its Crest a Dragon's shape enfold With horrid Paws and over all did spread His golden Wings whilst from his dreadful Head And flaming Mouth still sparkling Flames did glow And couch'd beneath his Back his Tail did show Upon the top of all his lofty Crest A bunch of various Hairs with Pearl was drest And mov'd by Air as jocund seem'd to dance As Branches which high Almond-trees advance But his fam'd Shield had closely cover'd been And rarely was by mortal ever seen No Brass or Steel best wrought did it compose And firm cou'd shine when Rust had eaten those Of clearest Diamond 't was by wondrous Art Hewn from its hardy Rock's transparent part No Hero's Spear could ere it pierce in field Or strongest Swords which vastest Giants weild This he to human wonder ne're disclos'd But when the worst of Monsters he oppos'd Or matchless Armies daunted rank'd in field Or Heaven's bright Lamps amaz'd when mov'd his shield Which so excessive did expand its Rays As if like t'other Sun 't would govern Dayes VVhilst Silver Cynthia with a paler Face In her quick Sphere admiring flies apace Nor Magick Arts through which the Moon some say Constraint has felt could to this Shield convey Blemish or change nor
When Miners dig her rocky Limbs away And falls at last as does the Giant here Shaking the Earth his ruin'd bulk does bear The nimble Knight upon the Corps soon stood And cuts the head off to discharge the Blood VVhich issuing like a Fountain from his Veins His filthy gore his wallowing Body stains And dead a while to Fame such wonder left That as a Bladder shews of Air bereft His massy substance leaves no more behind Than a thin film that had been swoll'n by wind The lustful Witch seeing her vast Lover kill'd Her Cup of Gold with Magick Liquor fill'd She casts away and next to ground does throw The stately Miter that adorn'd her Brow. With sorrow and disdain oppress'd her Soul As her Charms could not Destiny controul And leaving all behind from them had fled Had not the nimble Squire o'retook her Speed. Whom he turns back and to his Lord with Smiles Presents her as a Trophy to his Toils The Royal Virgin who beheld afar The whole Atchievements of this doubtful War In haste arrives and bending low her Knees Congratulates his wondrous Victories Letting him know her Soul was pos'd to tell How much his worth all mortals does excell And had for her a hapless Virgin done Exploits his Vertue ever must renown T'retaliate which she nothing could express Other than still oblig'd her self confess Monsters of unknown kind you have subdu'd And seen them die in their own blood embru'd And but remaining the accursed Dame Duessa who with Charms and impious flame My dearest Lord has wickedly betray'd And by her means here in a Dungeon lay'd O hear how his sad voice from under ground More doleful is than dying Mandrakes sound Her piteous moan great Arthur does deplore And bids his Squire secure the Scarlet Whore. Till this vast Castle search'd he finds the place Where lies in loathsom Duress and Disgrace The Red-Cross Knight still hoping for his Guide To find some mortal that did there reside VVhen passing Rooms such stilness to him seem'd As if there Nature had a Vacuum deem'd Nor did the loudest words that he could talk Summon one living thing to speak or walk Until a creeping Crooked-man that way Pass'd as he us'd about this time of day VVhose sight had from his age him long forsook And leaning on a Staff weak Steps he took And bunch of Keys upon his Arm he bore Yet had forgot their Use or proper Door Their substance much appear'd decay'd by Rust As but his Badge they seem'd of former Trust. But far more aukward 't was unto the sight To see how Nature did his movement spite For as he forward stept his wrinkl'd Face Behind still turn'd like none of humane Race An ancient Keeper of this Castle he Had long time been as Stories doe agree His Name Ignaro whence was his Genius read And Foster-father to the Giant dead The Prince an honourer of aged Hairs Unto him with becoming Meen repairs And gently ask'd where all the People were That in this stately Fabrick Office bear Or if he knew in what place was dispos'd The Knight whom the late Giant had oppos'd To which Ignaro said he did not know The Prince then ask'd what way he 'd forward show ' To whom the Man He could not tell reply'd And in like words all Knowledge still deny'd Which heard the Hero with displeasure said How mean is age that does due Manners need Wherefore old Sir methinks your Silver Head Should least with idle Mocks be furnished And since tho 'ast liv'd to Nature's grave degree As gravely answer what I ask of thee But still he said That he could nothing say Which speech repeated oft one senseless way The noble Prince his anger did restrain And like his Name thought Ignorance his Vein Then stepping from his Arm the Keys dos reach That open'd every Door without a breach And well he might when no Barricado there Or Foe t'impede his entrance every where Tho all within excessive rich he found No Prince's lavish Court could more abound But all the Floors too grievous to betold With Blood of Babes and Innocents were foul'd And on those for prophane Pollution strown Some Martyrs Ashes thick as seed fresh sown An Altar there of Marble-stone was rais'd Where Tyrants in their figur'd Pomp were prais'd That living glory'd in their impious Guilt Of holy Blood oft on this Altar spilt Whilst blessed Spirits beneath the Stone did lie To Heaven for Vengeance loudly seem'd to cry And grievously were often heard to groan That hardest Heart could not but them bemoan Fully each Room the valiant Prince had sought To find the Knight for Bondage thither brought At last unto an Iron Door was come But found no Key could open that dark Room And in 't a Grate was plac'd tho very small Through which with all his power he loud does call Whom to respond a hollow mournful sound Was heard like Ghost conjur'd from under ground Saying O welcome Man if as my choice Thou summon'st me to die by thy stern Voice Whilst my Griefs here worst pangs of Death transcend Like one alive is bury'd life to end Yet thus have liv'd full three Moons various hours Without beholding Beam from heavenly Powers Which when this Champion heard with noble grief And Courage joyn'd he attempts the Knights relief When thrusting strongly at the Iron Door His Strength to wonder it soon open tore Where entring he by no firm Steps could tread But such with steep descent him forward led And all in dark a dismal Stench did smell Such as the Poets write is breath'd from Hell. But neither noisom Damps or Darkness could This famous Knight from his design withhold Who after loathsom VVays and Perils past By painful Search he found the Knight at last And lifting him from ground with tender care From this dark depth the Man to light does beare But such a worn and ghastly shape had he Of Body pin'd by tedious Misery That his late radiant Eyes were pitted low And wasted did a fixed dimness show His ruddy Cheeks that heretofore had been Admir'd by Beauties now consumed seen His brawny Limbs of flesh and strength bereav'd That oft had armed Foes in pieces cleav'd Whilst even his comely Growth and vital Power Was shrunk within him like a wither'd Flower Whom when fair Una saw ' twards him she mov'd Like Woman joy'd to meet the Man belov'd Yet griev'd to see his pale and cheerless Face That once she thought surpassed mortal Race And when she wasted had a Flood of Tears Ah dearest Knight she said what evil Stars Have now bereav'd you of your beauteous Youth Or your heart influenc'd to suspect my Truth But welcome still my ever loved Lord My Comfort in all straits I 'le you afford And Fortune only blame for being unkind Without imputing Folly to your mind From harsh extreams our good does often grow Like Seed in Winter seasons men do sow These words tho kind the Man could little
made His Speech does next our loss of Life perswade To me he gave this Rope to cease my Grief And for Sir Terwin's end a rusty Knife My amorous Friend provided thus for Death A wide way forc'd to let out living Breath But I more fearful or more lucky fled Leaving that Knight from his dire Act near dead O may not Mortals more this Charmer hear Lest they with others the same Fate should share VVas ever Man the Red-Cross Knight reply'd Before thus made an impious Suicide My VVoes sayes he too late this Truth assure Nor could I for Earth's Wealth the same endure His subtle Tongue such tempting words instils As Heart and Veins its baneful Sweetness fills Let none him find and Lovers most beware Lest to your wish'd for Bliss he joyns Despair Guide me the Hero answer'd and I 'le find This false and cruel Hater of Mankind In Soul more monstrous than was ere before Wasted by Charon o're the Stygian shore A Knight I you suppose since on your Arms I see remaining signs of Martial Harms Howe're by treacherous Fate you were design'd To seek your safety with affrighted mind My Name 's Sir Trevisan and back will ride Since you desire that I should be your Guide But beg that I may leave you near the place For at no rate again I 'de see his Face Not long they had pass'd thorough desart Ground But the sad dwelling of this VVretch they found Who underneath a Cliff possess'd a Cave Dark and full dismal as the greedy Grave On top whereof liv'd the sad-boding Owl And never haunted by Air 's chearful Fowl. And all around it wandring Ghosts still walk'd That ghastly look'd and in Hell's Language talk'd The ragged Trees on which no Fruit e're grew Upon th' adjacent Rock did wither'd shew On these had many Wretches hanged been Whose Carkases were scatter'd round the Green Or thrown along the Cliffs as sore afraid The strange bare-headed Knight had them survey'd Who would again have fled as he drew near Had not fair Una's Hero check'd his fear The dark some Cave they enter'd where was found That cursed Man low sitting on the ground His grizly Hairs beneath his Shoulders long And hid his Face as they disorder'd hung Deep pitted were his dismal Eyes and star'd Like one whose sullen mind had still despair'd Ghastly his hollow Jaws and Cheeks were pin'd And look'd throughout like one that never din'd His Garment diverse was of ragged Clout Which pinn'd by Thorns his Body hung about And by him was a dead Man bleeding seen VVhose bloody hand had his own Murd'rer been All naked in his gore he wallowed lay As in him stuck the Knife that him did slay VVhich piteous sight as Trevisan had told VVhen the great Hero fully did behold He to the Villain said Thou cursed thing And Author whence this horrid Guilt does spring In thy best Blood imbrued thou shalt die To expiate thy profess'd Cruelty What frantick Fit has thus distracted thee Vain Man that gives so rash a doom to me Is 't Justice think'st thou to deny him death That grants he longer does not merit Breath None here to die did this Desparer force Who kill'd himself to end Life's grievous Course Nor is 't unjust that loathed life should cease When Men from other means can find no ease Who weary travelleth a tedious way And sees a Stream that does his Passage stay Will he not thank the Aid by which 't is past Or frees his Feet that did in Mire stick fast Most envious he that hinders others good Or stays their Passage that attend the Flood What tho Death's Pains awhile distaste our Sense If Rest for ever be our Recompence The Port attain'd the Pilate's Care does cease And Souldiers fight to gain their future ease Thus Man oppress'd himself by Death should free Like one that at his wanted home would be The Knight admiring at his ready Wit Said Wretch consider what thou wouldst admit Or dost thou judge that human Life is given At will to leave without offending Heaven Don't we our Maker so refuse to trust That gives us Periods ere we end in Dust Who like a Soveraign Chief does Man command On his Life's Duty Centinel to stand And not for fear of Death his post to quit Till the Drum beats that does his Watch remit If Man his first beginning cannot know Other than Heaven 's revealed Will does show Dares he presume that he has rightful power To end his dayes at his appointed hour When 't is his duty to attend God's Call And with content when that time comes to fall From length of years reply'd the Caitiff then Improved are the Crimes of wicked Men. And all those Battels which thou boasts to win Through wrath or blood-shed or more daring Sin Expect thy Death shall bloodily repay Shouldst thou defer thy Guilt unto that day Better to end thy youth Adventures here And justly cruel to thy self appear Since all the Actions of thy warful Life At best can claim but glorious bloody Strife Or grant no Foe thy Fury could subdue Age Sorrow Sickness thee can vanquish'd show Besides a thousand Ills that Fortune can Add to the lingring wretched living Man. And if thou 't duely weigh thy Knightly State With what thy vain Atchievements caus'd of late VVhen from a Dungeon thou for Death didst call Yet Fate to end thee worse there spar'd thy fall VVhich thou if Stars are just ought'st to expect Pour'd on thy head since from thy false neglect This gracious Lady's Vertue suffer'd wrong As thou the Witch Duessa courtedst long VVhat more Heroick can for thee remain Than by thy hand to lie at her Feet slain Canst thou hear this and let one Minute flye Ere full detesting Life thou hasts to dye These words the Hero's Soul so deeply pierc'd As thence by thought his past Crimes were rehears'd Which he with secret Horror soon bewail'd Whilst deep Despair his res'lute Heart assail'd To heighten which the wicked Man did shew A Table-book wherein the figur'd Crew Of damned Ghosts such Torments did lament As threaten'd Crimes the Knight was to repent VVhich sight th' afflicted Hero much dismay'd Of nothing but th' Almighty's VVrath afraid Doubting that all the Courage of his Soul Might not his now despairing thoughts controul This by the Villain found to him he brought All means of speedy Death that could be sought Offring to him Ropes Poisons Sword or Fire So he 'd soon chuse by which he would expire But when the Knight these Offers did withstand The VVretch a Dagger keen gives him to hand Bidding him deeply pierce his troubled Breast And free from past and future Evils rest Trembling the Hero did this gift receive As in suspence if longer best to live VVhilst from his Heart past tidings to and fro By Looks that did his Soul's disturbance show At last proceeds to force his final Smart Had Una not stept 'twixt his Blow and Heart VVho interposing with
the Hero's Beard and Face His Visage like a Comet seem'd to blaze But much severer did his person feel The glowing heat that scorch'd his Armour 's Steel That hardly he endur'd his cruel plight Or Arms that sear'd his Skin like Thunder's light Not that vast Champion of the ancient World Whom Poets for vast Labours have extoll'd Could furious Perils with this Chief compare When 'gainst devouring Centaurs he made VVar. VVhilst here this Hero Toils had undergone That have no equals in Heroick Song VVhom Steel now burnt that him before did arm VVhat man had e're endur'd such fatal Harm Faint weary scoarch'd nay hopeless of Relief At once his outward was and inward Grief To end his Torment Death he oft desir'd But death yields least to come when most requir'd As thus dismay'd the Dragon him beheld His sturdy stern he with Disdain does weild And that he might his Conquest fully show Strikes the brave Knight to ground at one rough blow From ancient time here sprung a wondrous Well Into whose depth by chance this Hero fell And which had Vertue beyond other Flood T' effect on Mortals Medicinal good Whose waves before this Dragon had defil'd The far admir'd Springs of Life were stil'd Such as could age convert to youthful Bloom And healthful cleanse Diseases foulest room The dead to life they often had restor'd And Sin wash'd off as Bathers here implor'd Now Phoebus finish'd had the burning day VVhen this prodigious Dragon hop'd to slay The afflicted Knight whom with contempt he cast Into this Well which done his speckled Breast Aloft he rais'd and like a Victor proud Insulting claps his Iron Wings aloud VVhich as the pensive Lady saw afar She fear'd the end of this stupendious VVar. And prostrate on her Knees to Heav'n did pray That Stars this Dragon might defeat or slay Nor from this Posture did that night remove But watchfully still pray'd and wept for Love. Until Aurora shew'd her blushing Face VVhen mov'd this beauteous Virgin from her place Her search and beaming Eyes imploy'd around Yet as she seeks still finds her Fears abound Having too late beheld her dear lov'd Knight Like to some vanquish'd Foe to fall by fight At last perceiv'd him from the Well to rise Fresh as a new bath'd Eagle mounts the Skies After his older Plumes in waves he sheds And in their stead more youthful Feathers spreads Or as young Hawks their tender Pinions try Yet wonder at themselves when first they fly So was this Hero at himself amaz'd As thus renew'd for Battel he was rais'd Whom when refresh'd the wondring Fiend did spy He doubts if this was his late Enemy Who fiercely brandishing his shining Blade Against the Dragon's Scalp a strong blow made VVhich to his Scull so deep a passage cleft That it the mighty Beast of Sense bereft What Muse can tell how his revengeful Steel Did from these sacred Streams Assistance feel Since until now no approv'd armed Hand Could this Fiend's subtle fraud and power withstand Who now enrag'd to see his bleeding gore Does loud as many hungry Lyons roar And lifting his far reaching Tail on high Scourgeth as Slaves to him the Air and Skie Then downwards moves his rancrous sting to smite In some most vital part the Red-Cross Knight Which pierc'd his Shoulder through his weighty shield And stuck like darted Piles in Martial Field Down fell the Hero painfully opprest Nor could his wound by Patience be redrest Which seen the Dragon by his Sting assay'd To pin him to the ground where he was lay'd VVho in this posture would not conquer'd be Conscious of former Fame and Victory But with a matchless strength upright does rise And to pull forth the Sting his hand applies But finding that he struggled had in vain He grasps his Sword to cut the Sting in twain And struck so hard that five vast Joynts he cleft From the Fiend's Tail and but the Stump him left What can express the strange outragious Cry That from this hellish Monster 's Throat did fly With Steams of Smoak that darken'd heavenly light More than thick Fogs which rise with Ghosts at night And now at once his valiant Foe to kill Imploys his winged force and utmost skill And laying his Claws upon the Knight's bright shield Strives as his Trophy to seize that in field Much was the Man incumber'd by his hold Not judging how he might his Gripes unfold Nor harder 't was from Cerberus greedy Jaws To force a Morsel than to move his Claws But when no struggling Toils the Knight avail'd VVith his keen Sword the Dragon he assail'd And did such strenuous blows 'gainst him apply As he forc'd Sparks like those from Anvils fly Until the Beast one grasping Foot withdraws To aid his Bulk assaulted by his Claws VVhilst he with t'other strongly gripes the Shield Resolv'd to quit that hold he 'd never yield Altho this Hero by his prosperous fight From the huge Joynt the Paw had sever'd quite VVhen unto wonder does the Knight behold Its footless Talons still his Shield to hold Vex'd with this loss not Aetna's boiling Stew Venteth such Flames as does the Monster now VVith which a pestilential Blast he sends That noisomly his Combatant offends Forcing his person backward to retire But as he trod he slipt and fell in Mire Nor ever was his Courage so dismay'd When 'gainst Hell's Breed before he Arms display'd Near to his fall there grew a lovely Tree For Fruit more goodly than e're Eye did see And had such power that who on it could eat Had thence Life happier than all human breed Th' Almighty's only Plant who does it call The Tree of Life ere Man provok'd his fall Near unto this another high aspir'd That was of Eden's growth the most admir'd Perfect its shape of Colour sparkling Green Purer than in best Emralds rays is seen In all the world none like these could be found Here only springing from most blessed ground Where best Fruit grew without man's skilful Toil Till this foul Dragon did pollute this Soil And but the Tree of Life did here remain And this of Knowledge which he durst not stain From the first Tree of these a Balm distill'd Whose soveraign Juice th' adjacent Plain had fill'd Long health and life this wondrous Moisture gave And could the dead revive when laid in Grave VVhere this Dew was by chance this Hero fell VVhich Universal Medicine did expel The many Maladies he had endur'd And could not without Miracle be cur'd The damned Beast durst ne're approach this place Tho willing to destroy its quickning Grace And now advanc'd the gloomy Team of Night When setting Stars did man's Repose invite Just as fair Una saw her Lover fall And fear'd that in him was no life at all VVhilst in a Dream he lay with full delight Where Balm had flow'd that cur'd his scorched plight VVhich she not guessing long deplor'd his Case Wishing by day once more to see his Face Till