University of Virginia Library

CANTO IV.

In the supposed Heaven of repose,
Hope casteth Anchor for his Barque to ride:
With kind salute unto his Love he goes;
Who gives embracement, and all things beside
Befit Affection; all such Complements
As Love can look for, gracious she presents.
Fair Foe (quoth Guy), I come to challenge thee,
For there's no man that I can meet will fight;
I have been where a Crew of Cowards be,
Not one that dares maintain a Ladies right:
Good proper fellows of their tongues, and tall,
That let me win a Princess from them all.
Phælice, this sword hath won an Emp'rors Daughter,
As sweet a Wench as lives in Europe's space:
At price of blows, and bloody wounds I bought her,
Well worth my bargain; but thy better face
Hath made me leave her to some others Lot;
For, I protest by Heaven, I love her not.
This stately Steed, this Faulcon and these Hounds,
I took, as in full payment of the rest:
For I will keep my love within the bounds
That do inclose the compass of my brest:
My constancy to thee is all my care,
Leaving all other Women as they are.
But Sweet-heart, tell me, shall I have thee now;
Wilt thou consent the Priest shall do his part?
Art thou resolved still to keep thy Vow?
Is none but I half with thee in thy heart?
Canst thou forsake the world, change Maiden-life,
And help thy faithful Lover to a Wife?
Quoth Phælice, Worthy Knight, my joys are great,
To understand thy honourable deeds:
It seems some were in such a bloody sweat,
Their Valour, Fame and Reputation bleeds:
I give thee humble thanks, that for my sake
Such hard Adventures didst vouchsafe to take.
To win a Princess was a precious prize;
But sure, methinks, if I had been Sir Guy,
She should have found more favour in mine eyes,
Than take a Horse, and turn a Lady by.
What, is a Horse, a Faulcon, and a Hound,
More worthy than a Lady so renown'd?
Perhaps you'l say, 'tis done for love of me;
I do imagine, nay, believe it so.
And though I jest, I will do more for thee,
Than thou, or any but my self doth know.
I'le never marry while life's glass doth run,
But only thee, or I will die a Nun.
But give me leave to speak my mind (kind Love)
Let me lock up my secrets in thy brest.
I had a Vision did affection move,
Cupid came to me in my quiet rest,
And did command me, in his Mothers name,
To love thee. Thus perswading to the same,
An armed man (just as I see thee now)
He set before me, speaking to me thus.
Phælice, be gentle-hearted, yielding, bow,
Do not oppose against the power of us;
But all thy love, thy loyalty and truth,
Bestow it freely on this matchless youth.
Throughout the world his Fame shall be admired,
And mighty men shall tremble at his wrath.
To end Kings quarrels, he shall be required,
His worthiness shall tread no common path.
But actions to be fear'd, he shall effect
Matters of moment, things of great respect.
This (in effect) he did to me relate,
And I have been obedient to his will.
Now if I would, I know not how to hate;
Of perfect kindness I am taught the skill.
Believe me, Guy, for if it were not so,
This secret of my heart thou shouldst not know.
But now, my Love, before thou dost possess
Thy constant Phælice in her Marriage-bed,
Thou must do deeds of greater worthyness,
Than winning of a Lady with her Steed.
I'le ever love thee, though I ne're do more,
But will not grant thee use of love before.
Not grant me use of love (quoth he) fair Friend!
Why then of force I must abroad again.
I will content thee, or I'le make an end
One way or other, slay, or else be slain.
Ere I return again into this Realm,
Thou shalt confess I have fulfill'd thy Dream,
Assist me Heavens, as I mean upright;
For I protest by all the powers Divine,
No unjust Quarrel shall procure me fight,
To wrong the wronged I will ne're incline;
But stand for those that by oppression fall,
In Honor's venture; be it life and all.
Come my Bellona, do thou gird my sword,
Embrace my Armour in thy Ivory Arms,
And such kind kisses as thou canst afford,
Bestow upon me in the stead of Charms.
I think upon Ulysses loving Wife,
How thou art now to imitate her life.
Farewel, my Phælice, health and happiness
Attend thee ever, to thy hearts desire.
And I beseech God grant me like success,
As I resolve my love to thee intire,
At my return, when Mars his bus'ness ends,
My comfort is, Hymen will make amends.
And so unto Earl Roband he repairs,
And tells him, he is come to take his leave;
He must seek out where Honour dealeth shares,
To purchase that which worthy men receive.
At home (saith he) my honourable Lord,
I find that Valour nothing can afford;
Therefore I'le search abroad what's to be done,
From Countrey unto Kingdom I'le resort,
By Nature's course my Glass hath much to run;
I well may spare some years for fighting sport;
Of idleness there's nothing comes but evil,
I hate a Coward as I hate the Devil.
Guy (quoth the Earl) thou mak'st me grieve at this,
The news is more than I can well indure,
Thy wished company so soon to miss,
When I did make account I had been sure
Possest of thee, at thy late travels end;
And dost thou now Journeys anew intend?
Remain with me, trust not to fortunes pow'r;
Though now she hath so well and kindly dealt,
She may allot thee an unlucky hour,
That instantly her Favours so have felt.
Her coutesies are most unconstant things,
Believe her not, she dealeth false with Kings.
Triumphant on her wheel now thou dost sit,
And with Fame's Triumph thy glory doth remain,
Oh! do not over-rashly hazard it;
Lost honour is not eas'ly got again.
May not one cursed and unhappy blow
Betray thy self to thy insulting Foe?
May not a Monster, or a savage beast,
At unawares deprive thee of thy breath?
May not a Tyrant when thou thinkest least,
Cut off thy course by an untimely death?
May not a thousand dangers on thee light,
Where but thy self, thy wronged self must right?
(Quoth Guy) My Lord, danger he may not fear,
That to Adventures doth himself dispose;
He must a mind of resolution bear,
And think himself too good for all his foes;
I'le never dread I shall be over man'd
While I have hands to fight, or legs to stand.
Therefore in humble fort I leave your honour,
Wishing all health unto your happy state.
If Fortune take a frowning mood upon her,
Why, she shall see I will disdain her hate.
What star soever sway'd when I was born,
I have a mind will laugh mis hap to scorn,