THE SQUIRE of DAMES. A POEM. In SPENSER's STILE.

THE SQUIRE of DAMES . A POEM . In SPENSER's STILE . ADVERTISEMENT .

In the seventh Canto of the Legend of Chastity , in Spenser's Fairy Queen , the Squire of Dames tells Satyrane , that by order of his mistress Columbel ( after having served the ladies for a year ) he was sent out a second time , not to return till he could find three hundred women incapable of yielding to any temptation . The bad success he met with in the course of the three years , which is slightly touch'd upon by Spenser , is the foundation of the following poem .

PROLOGUE . I. HARD is the heart that never knew to love , Ne felt the pleasing anguish of desire . Ye British maids , more fair than Venus' dove , For you alone I tune my humble lyre ; Adopt me , nymphs , receive me in your quire , Make me your bard ; for that is all my care : Then shall I envy not that aged sire , Who doth for court his annual song prepare : I lever myrtle wreath than Kesar's laurel wear . II . Think not because I write of Columbel I thence would blast the sex with impious tale ; Transactions vile of foreign stronds I tell , Ne 'gainst a British female would I rail For all the wealth that rolls on Indian grail . Here , beauty , truth , and chastity are found : Eleonora here , with visage pale , Did suck the poison from her Edward's wound , And Anna's nuptial faith shall stond for aye renown'd . III . See the fair swans on Thamis' lovely tide , The which do trim their pennons silver bright , In shining ranks they down the waters ride ; Oft have mine eyes devour'd the gallant sight . Then cast thy looks with wonder and delight , Where yon sweet nymphs enjoy the ev'ning air , Some daunce along the green , like fairies light , Some flow'rets cull to deck their flowing hair ; Then tell me , soothly , swain , which sight thou deem'st most fair . IV . To you , bright stars , that sparkle on our isle , I give my life , my fortune , and my fame ; For my whole guerdon grant me but a smile , A smile from you is all I hope or claim ; Nor age's ice my ardent zeal shall tame , To my life's end I shall your names adore , Not hermit's bosoms feel so pure a flame , Warm'd by approval I more high shall soar : Receive my humble lays , my heart was yours before . V. Should you consent , I'll quit my shepherd's grey , And don more graceful and more costly gear , My crook and scrip I'll throw with scorn away , And in a samite garment streit appear . Farewell , ye groves , which once I held so dear ; Farewell , ye glens , I other joys pursue ; Then shall the world your matchless pow'r revere , And own what wonders your sweet smiles can do , That could a simple clown into a bard transmew .

CANTO I. ARGUMENT . The Squire of Dames to Satyrane His history doth tell , With all the toils he underwent To gain his Columbel . I. THE Squire of Dames his tale thus 'gan to tell ; Sith you command my tongue , sir Satyrane , I now will all declare that me befell The cause of muchel scath and dol'rous pain , Ne shall thy gentle eye from tears refrain . Me Columbel commanded far to go 'Till I should full three hundred nymphs attain , Whose hearts should aye with Virtue's lessons glow , And to all swains but one cry out for ever , No . II . To find the fortilage that ne'er will yield Is not an easy matter , good sir Knight ; Troy town , they say , is now a grass-grown field , That long withstood the force of Grecian might ; And castles fall tho' deep in earth empight ; Ne ought so strong is found but what may fail , The sun at last shall lose his glorious light , And vows or bribes o'er women may prevail ; Their hearts are made of flesh , and mortal flesh is frail . III . With heavy heart , and full of cark I go And take my congé of my blooming maid , I kiss'd her hond , and , louting very low , To her behest at length myself array'd : The fair we love expects to be obey'd , Altho' she bid us with the kestrel fly ; So forth I prick , tho' much by doubt dismay'd , The hard experiment resolv'd to try : For she was wond'rous fair , and much in love was I . IV . A grove I reach'd , where tuneful throstles sung , The linnet here did ope his little throat , His twitting jests around the cuckoo flung , And the proud goldsinch show'd his painted coat , And hail'd us with no inharmonious note : The robin eke here tun'd his sonnet shrill , And told the soothing ditty all by rote , How he with leaves his pious beak did fill , To shroud those pretty babes , whom Sib unkind would kill . V. And many a fair Narcissus deck'd the plain , That seem'd anew their passions to admire ; Here Ajax told his dolors o'er again , And am'rous Clytie sicken'd with desire ; Here the blown rose her odors sweet did spire ; Thro' the dun grove a murm'ring river led His chrystal streams that wound in many a gyre ; The baleful willow all the banks bespread , And ever to the breeze ycurl'd his hoary head . VI . Soon to the grove there came a lovely maid , For maiden sure she did to me appear , In plain check-laton was the nymph array'd , Her sparkling eyes stood full of many a tear , And she bewept the absence of her dear . Alas ! should beauty be to woe allay'd ? Beauty , methinks , should meet with better cheer , Content should never wander from her side ; Good luck , I pray to heav'n , the face that's fair betide . VII . " Ah ! woe is me , she cry'd , since Colin's fled , " Whose gentle presence did these plains adorn , " Soon was he ravish'd from the nuptial bed , " Torn from these arms , from his dear leman torn ! " O grief ! far sharper than the pointed thorn , " I saw him ill-bestad by martial band . " Alas the day that ever I was born ! " Where roves my Colin , on what foreign strand , " Arraught from Laura's eyes , and his dear native land ? VIII . " Alas ! he only knew to prune the vine , " Or thro' the earth to urge the biting share , " To twist the bower with fragrant eglantine , " Where free from heat we shun'd the noon-tide air , " Or to the mart to lead his fleecy care . " And is it fit in hacqueton and mail " The youth for war's grim terrors should prepare ! " His voice outsung the love-lorn nightingale , " And destly could he daunce , or pipe along the dale . IX . " The gos-hawk fierce may pounce the trembling dove , " The savage wolf may tear the bounding fawn , " But sparrows mild are form'd for seats of love , " And kids dew not with blood the slow'ry lawn ; " Then how shall he , in whom all graces dawn , " In the red field the cruel paynim kill ? " For scenes like these find men of hellish spawn . " 'Tis his with joy the virgin's heart to fill , ' And not on foreign shore his foemen's blood to spill . X. " No days of bliss my sorrows shall aslake , " For him I'll ever drop the dol'rous tear . " Adieu the circled green , the buxom wake , " Since Colin's gone I taste of nought but drear . " Stretch me , ye maidens , stretch me on the bier , " And let thy grave-stone these true words adorn : " A wretched maiden lies intombed here , " Who saw a shepherd brighter than the morn , " Then pin'd her heart away , and dy'd of love forlorn . " XI . Much was I grieved at her piteous plaint , And greeted to myself , O happy Squire ! At length , tho' late , thou hast found out a saint , Who , but for Colin , feels no warm desire . Perdie , quoth Satyrane , I her admire ; No lozel lose shall here discover'd be . The other answer'd with his cheeks on fire , Now by my hallidom you soon shall see That words may with the heart full often ill agree . XII . I , nought accoy'd , came up unto the fair , And swore to love her all my length of life ; Then offer'd her to gorgeous domes to bear , Where haidegives are daunc'd to harp and fife . She soon forgot she was another's wife , And granted with me to desert the plain . Are such ensamples emong women rife ? If so , my Columbel I ne'er shall gain , But hunt around the world , and find my labours vain . XIII . My lips I 'gan to royne in fell despite , And forth I rushed from her false embrace , Thro' the thick wood I wander'd day and night , Ne met I living creature face to face : At length a rising city far I trace ; Thither in hopes my hasty steps I bend . Perchaunce , thought I , true Virtue may embrace The courtly dome , and from the country wend . Thus , where the least expect , we often find a friend . XIV . At e'en the town I reach'd , and eke a hall , Which waxen tapers made as light as day ; Fair jovisaunce sat on the face of all , And to the daunce the sprightly minstrels play , Each seem'd as sportive as the wanton jay . The dame , who own'd the house , was passing old , And had , it seems , that morning dealt away To her kind grandson many bags of gold , Who took a bonnibel to haven and to hold . XV. The bride was named Viola the fair , The loaded rosiere is not half so sweet . Aye , aye , quoth I , ensamples are but rare To find so many charms in one discreet ; With you , fair lass , I mean not now to treat . The springal was in wholesom lustihed , And him by name of Pamphilus they greet ; He was to doughty chevisance ybred , Yet oft in courtly halls the active measure led . XVI . The auncient dame they do Avara call , And much she hobbled as she trod the ground ; Yet many angels in her crumenal , If fair report speaks true , were always found . Where riches flow there virtues too abound . Her pannikel was as a badger grey , And , as she walk'd the company around , It nodded with such force , that , by my fay , I thought it meant to fly from her old crag away . XVII . The lofty roof was fretted o'er with gold , And all around , the walls depeinten were With many histories of times of old , Which brought not muchel credit to the fair . There Leda held her swan , with shoulders bare , And here the dame of Ephesus was found , Lick other dames , whom my kind tongue shall spare , And here stood Helen for her charms renown'd , Who soon her lord forsook , when she a leman found . XVIII . And many a beauteous dame and courtly knight Came there the nuptials to celebrate : Some vers'd to wing from bow the nimble flight , Some the near foe with brondir'n to amate ; Me too they welcome to the hall of state ; With bel acoil they wished me to take A round or two , and chuse me out a mate : But my fond love which nothing could aslake , Caus'd me to slight them all , for Columbella's sake . XIX . And now to artful steps the floor rebounds , In graceful ease the shining beavys move , The noice like thunder at a distance sounds , Mean time I sat beneath a proud alcove , And told Avara gentle tales of love . Thought I , in eld the passions are more tame , And here by craft I may successful prove ; For she perforce must now be void of blame As wise Ulysses' wife , Penelopé by name . XX . Ne wants she gelt , which oft the mind misleads To actions which it otherwise would shun . The courtier lythe , if right report areeds , Will unawhap'd to seize his vantage run ; And so will most men underneath the sun , Or be they patriot call'd , or bard , or knight ; But when they once the gilded prize have won , They seek to clear their name , with shame bedight : Befits to scour the steel , when rust offends the sight . XXI . At ev'ry word I said she look'd askaunce , Then said , in unsoot whispers , Fye ! Sir , fye ! And turn'd as tho' she seem'd to mind the daunce , Nathless on me she cast a languid eye : Blist by thy form , my liefest life , quoth I , Cast your belgards upon an humble slave ; From love , alass ! in vain my heart would fly ; Then with a word thy quailing leman save , For if you frown , perdie , you doom me to the grave . XXII . It hap'd by chaunce she saw a golden heart With flaming diamonds around beset ; This , the whole guerdon of my tedious smart , I , on a time , from Columbel did get . As simple birds are caught in fowler's net , And 'cause they see no danger none they fear , Ev'n so Avara her eyen here did set , And turned round and whisper'd in mine ear , Give me that di'mond heart , and be mine leman dear . XXIII . I started from the couch where I was pight , And thus I her bespake with muchel rage , Avaunt , thou faytor false , thou imp of night ! I hate myself , that I should thus engage , On any terms , to treat with wrizled age . So , forth I flung , and left the frowy witch To share her bed with coachman , groom or page ; The castle too I quit , mine ire was sich , And out I set again , tho' night was dark as pitch . XXIV . But did I here relate , Sir Satyrane , The many weary miles I've travelled , What dangers I've assoil'd , yet all in vain , ( For , by my truth , but ill my days I've sped ) Your hair would stand upright upon your head . Three hundred virtuous females side by side , By me to Columbella must be led : Can you direct me where for such to ride ? cannot , in good sooth , the courteous knight reply'd . XXV . The Squire pursu'd his tale ; 'Tis now three years Since curst Avara's visage first I saw ; Convents I've try'd , but there the luscious freers The fair-fac'd nuns to fornication draw ; Nor palaces are free from Cupid's law ; His darts are fiercer than the levin-brond ; Few , very few , there 'scape his mighty paw , And those in golden palls , who proudly stond , Had lever kiss their love's , than Keysar's royal hond . XXVI . Fair Jenny of the mill I strove to win , And her benempt Pastora of the dale ; But they bilive agreed with me to sin ; One ask'd an owch , and one a watchet veil . Some wish o'er ev'ry female to prevail ; My hope , my conquest is to be deny'd . The stage I've try'd , but there my projects fail ; For there is scarce a single wedded bride But doth her husband's noul with horns of ront provide . XXVII . As couthful fishers at the benty brook , By various arts assot the seely fry , Now wriggling worms , now paste conceals the hook , And now they hide it with a colour'd fly ; This takes the perch , and that the tench's eye ; So different nymphs a diff'rent charm invites , Some yield for vantage , some for vanity , A song this one , a daunce that maid delights : Man throws the wimble bait , and greedy woman bites . XXVIII . With sorrow overhent , the other day I laid my weary limbs adown to rest , Where a tall beech o'erspread the dusky way ; My noyous thoughts a dream awhile suppress'd , Oft weighty truths are in this garb ydress'd . Grant that it so may happy unto me ; Then joyous once again shall sooth this breast , My pining soul shall be from anguish free , And I shall taste true bliss , dear Columbel , with thee . XXIX . Methought I saw a figure fair and tall , And gentle smiles sat dimpling on her face , Yet seemed of a beauty nought at all , 'Till much beholding did improve each grace ; At length she seem'd too fair for human race . Her kirtle white might vie with winter snows , Ne could you ought of her fair bosom trace , Nought but her face would she to sight expose , So modest maiden wends , the frannion muchel shows . XXX . With visage bland , methought she hail'd me oft ; " Ne fear , quoth she , a female's mild request . " The bark by tempests that is whirl'd aloft , " At length , the tempest o'er , enjoyeth rest . " My name is Chastity , tho' out of quest " With modern dames , yet thou shalt still survey " A clime where beauty is with virtue blest . " Good fortune speed you on your happy way ; " Go , gentle Squire of Dames , and here no longer stay . XXXI . " To Fairy lond your instant journey bend , " There Columbel may find her will obey'd ; " There Chastity may boast of many a friend , " She visits there each rosy-featur'd maid . " Go on , nor be by former toils affray'd : " Go where yon oaks display their verdant pride , " 'Till , from the mountains torn and stripp'd of shade , " On Neptune's billows they triumphant ride , " Protect their happy lond , and conquer all beside . XXXII . " Hail happy lond ! for arms and arts renown'd , " For blooming virgins free from loose desire ; " A Drake , a Bacon , there a birth-place found , " And chaste Eliza time shall e'er admire : " The hero wields the sword and poet's lyre : " This Sidney knew , who still with lustre shines , " For whom Dan Spenser wak'd the warbling quire , " And many more whose names might grace his lines ; " There round the warriour's palm the lover's myrtle twines . " XXXIII . At this I woke , and now resolve to brave The utmost perils for my Columbel ; For , know , I mean to cross the briny wave , Where Albion's chalky cliffs the sea repel : And , if no mage have laid a magick spell , Perchaunce my lot may be at length to find Three hundred nymphs , who wicked love can quell ; If not , I must desert all womankind , And , what me most amates , leave Columbel behind . XXXIV . The Squire of Dames surceased here his say , And forth he yode to seek the British isle , Sir Satyrane prick'd on his dapple-grey , Ne ought foreswonk he travell'd many a mile To spend his days in hardiment and toil : But first in courteous guise they bid farewell , As well befits men bred in courtly soil . Now how the Squire has sped , or ill , or well , A future canto may , perhaps , at leisure tell . XXXV. For see , how Phoebus welketh in the west , My oxen from their yoke I must untye , The collar much has chauf'd their tender chest , Who labours much the sweets of rest should try . To their warm nests the daws and ravens fly Deep in the ruin'd dome or dusky wood ; And beasts and birds fast lock'd in slumber lye , Save the fell bat , that flutters out for food , And the soothsaying owl , with her unlovely brood .

CANTO II . ARGUMENT . The Squire he lights on Bon-vivant , Who wons in Fairy soil , Then views in Merlin's magick glass A sight that ends his toil . I. TO gain the point to which our soul aspires We nourish toil , and reek hard labour sweet ; For this , thro' Greenland's frosts , or India's fires , The hardy sailors death and dangers meet ; And the prow chieftain , bolder than discreet , In blood imbru'd pursues the martial fray , And lovers eke thro' life's loud tempests beat , Led on by hope , that never-dying ray ; Hope wantons in their breast , and strews with flow'rs the way . II . And sure of all mankind the Squire of Dames Shall stand the first ensample of true love , Who aye , untouch'd by any foreign flames , Preserv'd his passion for his gentle dove ; Blush , modern youths , whose pulses quickly move , Fondly you glote upon the witching fair ; Yet , when a sweet enjoyment once you prove , You leave the nymph intangled in the snare , Her tears flow trickling down , her singults pierce the air . III . Oh think of transports which ye whilom tasted , And let the glad remembrance charm your mind , Be not the fruits of joyment quickly wasted , And to your heart her happy image bind : Think what she merits who whilear was kind , Nor by inconstancy her peace destroy ; Inconstancy , that monster fell and blind : That vainly fond of ev'ry passing toy , Treads down its late delight , and poisons rapt'rous joy . IV . Return we now unto our gentle youth , Whose little bark daunc'd lightly on the main , His breast divided atween joy and ruth ; Now gay ideas wanton in his brain , Now woe-begon his heart is rent in twain , On his success depends his Columbel ; And now he hopes , and now desponds again ; The various turns of mind , when thoughts rebel , Sure pen mote ne'er describe , and none but lovers tell . V. Methinks I see him on the beachy strond , Where Neptune's waves affrap the sturdy pier ; His hardy steed neighs at the sight of lond , In all adventures a most faithful seer ; And thro' that city he doth quickly steer , Which Ethelbert to holy Austin gave : The kings of Kent did erst inhabit here , Here haughty Becket sunk into the grave , Here thro' the smiling meads , Stoure rolls his dimpling wave . VI . Long travell'd he , ne ventur'd to assay The nymphs he met , for much he was affraid To bribes or pray'rs few women would cry nay ; At flatt'ry's tongue full oft will virtue fade ; What shall he do ? to win his lovely maid He must three hundred virtuous females find , Perdie , quoth he , my fortune be essay'd , I'll boldly try the strength of womankind : For craven heart , they say , ne'er won fair lady's mind . VII . So on he prick'd , and from a rising ground Discern'd before him , in a distant vale , A castle fair : and auncient oaks around Did to the breeze their lofty heads avail ; A silver stream refresh'd the fragrant dale ; Their ledden loud fat oxen did repeat , And nibbling sheep display'd their fleeces pale , The woodbine shed an odor matchless sweet , And to their patient dams the frisking lambkins bleat . VIII . To that same castle our advent'rer yode , The merry birds him welcom'd on the way , An hundred flow'rs aumail'd the winding road , And all was bright , and all was passing gay , You would have sworn it was the month of May . Withouten drad he thunders at the gate , Who wons within , or giant , knight or fay , Shall ne'er , in sooth , our imp of fame amate : Unto the summons loud the portal opens streit . IX . And forth there issued the seneschal , Of middle age he was , if right I ween , He was in personage both plump and tall , Ne seemed he to taste of dol'rous teen , Ne wrinkle deep was on his forehead seen , But jovisaunce sat basking on his brow , At every word he spoke , he smil'd at-ween , His temples were ycrown'd with myrtle bough , And virelays he song with matchless grace , I vow . X. " Whoe'er thou art , thrice welcome to these plains , " Where bitter dole ne'er shows her hateful head , " Good-fellowship wons here , and free from pains " Both youth and eld the paths of pleasure tread ; " Catch flying bliss , ne be by ought foresaid ; " Think that this life is but a little span ; " Then laugh , and sport , and shun all dreryhed , " Thy rolling days in present pleasures plan , " Come , spend thy hours in joy , thou son of mortal man . XI . " Know'st thou my name ! I am l'Allegro hight , " Let me conduct thee to our jovial hall , " Where Bon-vivant in revels spends the night , " Who bids a hearty welcome unto all , " Or wear he red cross-stoles , or paynim pall . " With that he lad him with a courtly air Into a chamber deck'd for feast and ball ; And tho' no tedes or tapers glimmer'd there , Yet all within was bright , as all without was fair . XII . As at the close of an hot summer's day , When Phoebus in the west deserts the sky , Bright streams of light along the aether play , And tho' his fi'ry orb forsake our eye , The beamy gushes gild each object nigh ; The painted meads are ting'd with golden light , And rivers roll their glitt'ring waters by ; So in this house of joy with ease you might Perceive celestial rays , that cherish'd human sight . XIII . The Squire of Dames his jolly host salew'd , And Bon-vivant his hond in friendship press'd ; " Come , sit thee down , and taste our choicest food ; " We entertake , quoth he , no vulgar guest . " Enur'd to toil , come taste the sweets of rest , " Doff thy hard arms , this samite garment wear , " This better far than mail shall bind thy breast , " This coronal shall deck thy auburn hair ; " Push the brisk goblet round , and drown intruding care . XIV . " For us the lark attunes his morning song , " For us the spring depeints her ev'ry flow'r , " To sooth our sleep yon fountain purls along , " And oaks to shade us , twine into a bow'r , " The pensive bard sits many a watchful hour , " In ditty sweet , to carol forth our praise : " While valour spends his days in dole and stour , " We , wiser we , undying trophies raise " To ever-blooming bliss , ne reek what wisdom says . XV. " With sprightly notes we make the welkin ring , " In mazy daunce we tread the chequer'd ground , " To yielding nymphs transported shepherds sing , " Ne hard misfare emongst our train is found . " The simple swain , who looks with cark astoun'd " Because his leman ill rewards his care , " Oh , let him stond to all a lout renown'd , " Ne gibing scorn her twitting bords forbear ; " Are there not other nymphs less coy , and full as fair ? " XVI . At this the Squire wex'd pale , " Ne eath it is , " Most courteous knight , he cry'd , far to remove " The thoughts of her in whom we place all bliss . " Quoth Bon-vivant , " What , then thou art in love ? " " That I am so these many singults prove , " Return'd the Squire . L'Allegro then reply'd , " Thou'dst better wend to yonder willow grove , " Where shoals of lovers hanging side by side , " Feed the vile carrion crows , and highten female pride . " XVII . With that he brast into a scornful laugh , And much abash'd appear'd our constant Squire ; The others sportful the brisk vintage quaff . While thus the springal . " Yes , I do aspire " To love the fairest of the female quire . " Three hundred virtuous damsels in this isle " I came to find . " " Perdie , your odd desire , " Quoth Bon-vivant , will ask thee muchel toil ; " And thou shalt travel too full many a weary mile . XVIII . " 'Tis not enough the conduct of the fair " Is form'd by frowning virtue's strictest leer : " The blatant-beast does here in pieces tear " The fame of those ybred in school severe ; " His rankling tongue throughout the rolling year " With baleful venom ev'ry thing consumes ; " Where beauty's splendor gilds our northern sphere " He slyly creeps , and to destruction dooms " The honour of the spring , and wisdom's early blooms . XIX . " The brindled lyon in the lonely wood " Hides his grim aspect from the sight of men ; " The pardelis and libbard's spotted brood " Reside contented in sequester'd den ; " Not so the blatant-beast , he lives in ken " Of the proud city or well-peopled town ; " Thence with detested fury he will ren , " Ne spare the prelate's lawn , or monarch's crown : " All fares alike with him , for all he tumbleth down . XX . " What then avails it to be fair or wise ? " Or what avails it to be warlike knight ? " Where-e'er the monster casts his fi'ry eyes , " Each grace , each virtue sickens at the sight . " Then goodly Squire , until the morning's light " Quaff the thick darkness of the night away ; " And , when the morn shall rise , in arms bedight " Proceed , and luck attend you on your way ; " Algates we wish in truth with us you'd ever stay . " XXI . The Squire agrees , but vows , when rising morn Shall gild the glitt'rand portals of the east , Himself he will in habergeon adorn , And seek around the isle the blatant-beast : Mean while in buxom mirth they spend the feast . Ill fares the mortal man too much who knows ; Oft shall he wish himself from thought releast ; The fatal knowledge in his bosom glows , And mars his golden rest , and murders soft repose . XXII . Sir Chaunticleer now ey'd the rising day , And call'd dame Partlet from her vetchy bed ; Now wakeful Phospher spreads his gleamy ray , And the pale moon conceal'd her silver head ; The cattle brouze the lawn with dew bespread , While ev'ry bird from out the buskets flies . Then to the field our lover issued ; But sleep had seal'd l'Allegro's drousy eyes , And Bon-vivant also in downy slumber lies . XXIII . Our Squire , withouten drad , pursu'd his way , And look'd around to spy this monster fell , And many a well conceited roundelay He sung in honour of his Columbel : Mote he , perchaunce , destroy this spawn of hell , How easy were the task to him assign'd ? The lond of Fairy doth each lond excel ; View there the paragons of womankind ; View the bright virgins there , and leave thy heart behind . XXIV . Ah ! lever should'st thou try the females there Than thus unwise another course pursue ; There ev'ry nymph is innocent as fair : Try what I here advance , you'll find it true . Hard is our fate while bliss in hopes we sew , Some deadly fiend to blast our joy appears ; Contentment sweet , alas , is known to few . Thus for awhile the sun the welkin chears , But soon he hides his head , and melts in dropping tears . XXV . Life is a scene of conteck and distress , Ne is it longer than a winter's day ; And shall we make our few enjoyments less ? Far from my cot , thou blatant-beast away . No husband's noul will I with horns array , Ne shall my tongue its venom'd malice wreak On tuneful bards , whom laurel crowns apay ; Ne will I 'gainst the comely matron speak , Or draw one pearly drop down beauty's rosy cheek . XXVI . The Squire of Dames rode on with muchel tine , And , as he cast askaunce his greedy look , He saw empight beneath an auncient pine A hoary shepherd leaning on his crook ; His falling tears increas'd the swelling brook : And he did sigh as he would break his heart . " O thou deep-read in sorrow's baleful book , " The Squire exclaim'd , areed thy burning smart ; " Our dolors grow more light when we the tale impart . " XXVII . To whom the swain reply'd , " O gentle youth , " Yon fruitful meads my num'rous herds possess'd , " My days roll'd on unknown to pain or ruth , " And one fair daughter my old age ybless'd . " Oh , had you seen her for the wake ydress'd " With kirtle ty'd with many a colour'd string , " Thy tongue to all the world had then confess'd " That she was sheener than the pheasant's wing , " And , when she rais'd her voice , ne lark so soot could sing . XXVIII . " In virtue's thews I bred the lovely maid , " And she right well the lessons did pursue ; " Too wise she was to be by man betray'd ; " But the curst blatant-beast her form did view , " And round our plains did spread a tale untrue , " That Rosabella , spurning marriage band , " Had felt those pangs which virgin never knew , " And that Sir Topas my poor girl trepann'd ; " He , who in sable stole doth in our pulpit stand . XXIX . " Nay , more , the hellish monster has invented , " How a young swain on Shannon's banks yborn " ( Had not my care the deep-laid plot prevented ) " Would from my arms my Rosabel have born . " Have I not cause to weep from rising morn " 'Till Phoebus welketh in the western main , " To see my dearling's fame thus vildly torn ? " Have I not cause to nourish endless pain ? " At this he deeply sigh'd , and wept full sore again . XXX . " Curst be this blatant-beast , reply'd the Squire , " That thus infects your sea-begirted isle ; " Shew me his face , that I may wreak mine ire " Upon this imp of hell , this monster vile . " " Away from hence not passing sure a mile , " Might I advise you , you had better wend , " Return'd the swain , " Deep-read in magick-style " There Merlin wons , sue him to be your friend ; " And lest you miss your way , myself will you attend . " XXXI . Together now they seek the hermitage Deep in the covert of a dusky glade , Where in his dortour wons the hoary sage . The moss-grown trees did form a gloomy shade , Their rustling leaves a solemn musick made , And fairies nightly tripp'd the aweful green , And if the tongue of fame have truth display'd , Full many a spectre was at midnight seen , Torn from his earthly grave , a horrid sight ! I ween . XXXII . Ne rose , ne vi'let glads the chearless bow'r , Ne fringed pink from earth's green bosom grew : But hemlock dire , and ev'ry baleful flow'r Might here be found , and knots of mystick rue . Close to the cell sprong up an auncient yew , And store of imps were on its boughs ypight , At his behests they from its branches flew , And , in a thousand various forms bedight , Frisk'd to the moon's pale wain , and revell'd all the night . XXXIII . Around the cave a clustring ivy spread In wide embrace his over-twining arms , Within , the walls with characters bespread Declar'd the pow'rful force of magick charms . Here drugs were plac'd destructive of all harms , And books that deep futurity could scan : Here stood a spell that of his rage disarms The mountain lyon 'till he yields to man ; With many secrets more , which scarce repeat I can . XXXIV . The Squire of Dames deep enters in the cell : What will not valiant heart for beauty dare ? His borrel fere here bids his friend farewell , And home he wends renewing cark and care . When , louting low with a becoming air , The youth cry'd out , " O thrice renowned mage , " Vouchsafe to cure me of my black dispair ; " For thou not only art grown wise thro' age , But art of mortal man by far the wisest sage . " XXXV. Then Merlin with a look benign reply'd , ( For he was bred with ev'ry courteous thew ) " I know to make fair Columbel your bride " The blatant-beast you thro' the lond pursue ; " The fate of empires now demands my view , " And for awhile denys my presence here ; " Soon in this cell I'll thee again salew , " What most thou lik'st partake withouten fear , " Share all my cave affords , nor think I grudge my chear . XXXVI. " Yet mark my counsel , open not that door , " Lest thou repent thy follies when too late , " Ten thousand pangs shall make thy heart full sore , " For horror scouls behind that heben gate , " And future ills shall thy dear peace amate ; " There stands a mirror , wrought by magick leer , " In which are read the dark decrees of fate , " And whom you wish to see will streit appear , " Devoid of art's false mask , to human eye-sight clear . XXXVII . " Ah how unlike the godlike man he seem'd " In this my glass the patriot I've descry'd , " By the vile rabblement a saint esteem'd ? " He's oft a wretch compos'd of sloth and pride : " And Kesars too , not seldom deify'd , " With other men their vice and follies share ; " And by my mirror if the nymph be try'd , " It will without reserve the truth declare , " Ne flatter head that's crown'd , ne flatter face that's fair . XXXVIII . " Once more let me advise thee , gentle Squire , " Forbear to look at this same magick glass ; " Do not too rashly into fate enquire — " But I to foreign stronds awhile must pass . " Th' unweeting youth cry'd to himself , " Alas ! " Would I could know the lot to me assign'd . " " Patience , quoth Merlin , doth all things surpass . " Then to his car were winged dragons join'd , With which he sails thro' air , and far outstrips the wind . XXXIX . And now the Squire surveys the lonesome cave , His wav'ring mind is in a whirlwind tost , And now the mirror he resolves to brave , And now he finds his boasted courage lost . At length determin'd whatsoe'er it cost , To see the glass , he darts into the cell ; And , lest his eyes by vild retrait be crost , Thrice he invokes his lovely Columbel . As Adam fell of yore , the Squire of Dames yfell . XL. The heben doors full widely he display'd , And saw the lovely queen of all his heart , Fair as the lilly in the watry glade , Bright as the morn , and bright withouten art , Thro' ev'ry vein he feels a thrillant smart : For the dear maid lay on her bed undress'd , And , may I unreprov'd the truth impart , She hugg'd a lusty stripling to her breast , Whom she full closely clipp'd , and wantonly caress'd . XLI. " O faytor false , O wicked imp of night ! Exclaim'd the Squire astound , " ah ! wealaway ! " Let Erebus in pitchy stole bedight " With foulest sprites the sons of men affray , " And blot for ever the fair face of day . " Ye haggard sisters , sound my passing-bell ; " Oh ! ne'er believe , ye youths , what women say . " O losel loose , O impious Columbel ! " Then like a stean to earth full heavily he fell . XLII. There shall we leave him , for my leaky boat Lets in the water , and I must recure Her much-worn hulk , that scarcely now can float , And moor'd in harbour she shall ride secure ; Then if I can a pilot wise procure , Mayhap I may again hoist forth my sail , And other hardy voyages endure Thro' shelves and shallows : now the adverse gale Gives me some time to rest , and lond with joy I hail .

GLOSSARY . Amail , enamel Avale , bow . Brond-iron , a sword Blatant-beast , detraction or envy Buskets , bushes Borrel fere , clownish companion Crumenal , purse Coronal , crown or garland Fortilage , fort Flight , arrow Kestrel , an hawk Levin-brond , thunder-bolt Ledden , language Pannikel , crown of the head To royne , to bite , or gnaw Recure , to repair Sib , an uncle Springal , a youth Wimble , shifting to and fro Yede , went