"Then do no further go, no further stray; which, and thousands more, do make a loathsome life. "Thou, wretched man, of death hath greatest need, If in true balance thou wilt weigh thy state; For never knight, that dared warlike deed, More luckless disadventures did await. Witness the dungeon deep, wherein of late Thy life shut up for death so oft did call; And though good luck prolonged hath thy date, Yet death then would the like mishaps forestall, Into the which, hereafter, thou maist happen fall. "Why then dost thou, O man of sin, desire With whom in all abuse thou hast thyself defiled? "Is not he just that all this doth behold Is not his law, Let every sinner die, Die shall all flesh? what then must needs be done, Is it not better to die willingly, Than linger till the glass be all outrun ? Death is the end of woes: die soon, O fairy's son." The knight was much enmoved with this speech, That as a sword's point through his heart did pierce; And in his conscience made a secret breach, Well knowing true all that he did rehearse, And to his fresh remembrance did reverse The ugly view of his deformed crimes; That all his manly powers it did disperse, As he were charmed with enchanted rhymes, That oftentimes he quaked, and fainted oftentimes. In which amazement when the miscreant (Whiles trembling horror did his conscience daunt, The sight thereof so thoroughly him dismayed, And brought unto him swords, ropes, poison, fire, And bade him choose what death he would desire: For death was due to him, that had provoked God's ire. But whenas none of them he saw him take, And troubled blood through his pale face was seen At last, resolved to work his final smart, THE CAVE OF MAMMON. 'That house's form within was rude and strong, And with rich metal loaded every rift, Her cunning web, and spread her subtle net, Enwrapped in foul smoke, and clouds more black than jet Both roof, and floor, and walls were all of gold, And hid in darkness, that none could behold Does show to him that walks in fear and sad affright And over all sad Horror, with grim hue, DESCRIPTION OF PRINCE ARTHUR. At last she chanced by good hap to meet Athwart his breast a baldrich brave he ware, [rare: That shined like twinkling stars, with stones most precious And in the midst thereof one precious stone, Of wondrous worth, and eke of wondrous might, Shaped like a ladies head, exceeding shone, Like Hesperus, amongst the lesser lights, And strove for to amaze the weaker sights; Thereby his mortal blade full comely hung In ivory sheath, ycarved with curious slights; Whose hilts were burnished gold, and handle strong, Of mother-pearl, and buckled with a golden tongue. His haughty helmet, horrid all with gold, Both glorious brightness and great terror bred; For all the crest a dragon did enfold With greedy paws, and over all did spread His golden wings: his dreadful, hideous head, Close couched on the beaver, seemed to throw From flaming mouth bright sparkles, fiery red, That sudden horror to faint hearts did show; And scaly tail was stretched down his back full low. |