THE FAERIE QUEENE by Edmund Spenser TO The ... - Planet.ee

www.TaleBooks.comAs Arthegall and Sophy now beene honored."VII. "Certes," (then said the Prince) " I God avow,That sith I armes and knighthood first did plight,My whole desire hath beene, and yet is now,To serve that Queene with al my powre and might.Seven times the Sunne, with his lamp-burning light,Hath walkte about the world, and I no lesse,Sith of that Goddesse I have sought the sight,Yet no where can her find: such happinesseHeven doth to me envy, and fortune favourlesse."VIII. "Fortune, the foe of famous chevisaunce,"Seldom" (said Guyon) "yields to vertue aide,But in her way throwes mischiefe and mischaunce,Whereby her course is stopt and passage staid:But you, faire Sir, be not herewith dismaid,But constant keepe the way in which ye stand;Which, were it not that I am els delaidWith hard adventure which I have in hand,I labour would to guide you through al Faery land."IX. "Gramercy Sir," said he; "but mote I weeteWhat straunge adventure doe ye now pursew?Perhaps my succour or advizement meeteMote stead you much your purpose to subdew."Then gan Sir Guyon all the story shewOf false Acrasia, and her wicked wiles;Which to avenge the Palmer him forth drewFrom Faery court. So talked they, the whilesThey wasted had much way, and measurd many miles.X. And now faire Phoebus gan decline in hasteHis weary wagon to the Westerne vale,Whenas they spide a goodly castle, plasteForeby a river in a pleasaunt dale;Which choosing for that evenings hospitale,They thither marcht: but when they came in sight,And from their sweaty Coursers did avale,They found the gates fast barred long ere night,And every loup fast lockt, as fearing foes despight.XI. Which when they saw, they weened fowle reprochWas to them doen, their entraunce to forestall,Till that the Squire gan nigher to approch,And wind his horne under the castle wall,That with the noise it shooke as it would fall.Eftsoones forth looked from the highest spireThe watch, and lowd unto the knights did call,To weete what they so rudely did require?Who gently answered, They entraunce did desire.XII. "Fly fly, good knights," (said he) "fly fast away,If that your lives ye love, as meete ye should;Fly fast, and save your selves from neare decay;Page 209 , Faerie Queene, The - Edmund Spenser