Stories From the Faerie Queene - M Macleod (1905)

The Legend of Britomart
dear Candace, which shone with such beauty that the
eyes of all were dazzled as with a great light. After
her, Paridell produced his false Duessa. With her
forged beauty, Duessa entrapped the hearts of some
who considered her the fairest ; and, after these, a
hundred more ladies appeared in turn, each one of
whom seemed to excel the others.
At last Britomart openly showed her lovely Amoret,
whose face uncovered seemed like the heavenly picture
of some bright angel. Then all who saw her thought
that Amoret would surely bear away the prize.
But Blandamour, who imagined that he had the
real, true Florimell, now displayed the Snowy Lady,
and the sight, once seen, dismayed all the rest.
For all who had seemed bright and fair before, now
appeared base and contemptible ; compared with her,
they were only like stars in comparison with the sun.
Every one who saw her was ravished with wonder ;
they thought she could be no mortal, but must be
some celestial being. They were all glad to see Florimell,
yet thought Florimell was not so fair as this
lady. Like some base metal overlaid with gold, which
deceives those who see it, was this false image who
passed for the true Florimell. Thus do forged things
sometimes show the fairest.
Then, by the decision of all, the golden belt was
granted to her as to the fairest lady ; and, bringing it
to her, they thought to place it round her waist, as
became her best.
But this they could by no means do,
for every time they fastened the girdle, it grew loose
and fell
away, as if there were some secret fault in her.
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