LVII. "There did I finde mine onely faithfull frend "In heavy plight and sad perplexitie, “Whereof I sorrie, yet myselfe did bend "Him to recomfort with my companie; "But him the more agreev'd I found thereby; "For all his ioy, he said, in that distresse, “Was mine and his Aemylia's libertie : "Aemylia well he lov'd, as I mote ghesse; "Yet greater love to me then her he did professe. LVIII. "But I with better reason him aviz'd, [thought "And shew'd him how through error and mis"Of our like persons eath to be disguiz'd, "Or his exchange or freedom might be wrought: "Whereto full loth was he, ne would for ought "Consent that I, who stood all fearelesse free, "Should wilfully be into thraldome brought, "Till Fortune did perforce it so decree; "Yet over-ruld at last he did to me agree. LIX. "The morrow next about the wonted howre, "The dwarfe cald at the doore of Amyas "To come forthwith unto his ladies bowre; "Insteed of whom forth came I Placidas, "And undiscerned forth with him did pas : "There with great ioyance and with gladsome glee "Of faire Poeana I received was, "And oft imbrast, as if that I were hee, [mee. "And with kind words accoyd, vowing great love to LX. "Which I, that was not bent to former love, "As was my friend, that had her long refus'd, "Did well accept, as well it did behove, "And to the present neede it wisely usd; "My former hardnesse first I faire excusd, "And after promist large amends to make. "With such smooth termes her error I abusd, "Tomy friend's good more then for mine owne sake, "For whose sole libertie I love and life did stake. LXI. "Thenceforth I found more favour at her hand; "That to her dwarfe, which had me in his charge, "She bad to lighten my too heavie band, "And graunt more scope to me to walke at large. "So on a day, as by the flowrie marge "Of a fresh streame I with that elfe did play, Finding no meanes how I might us enlarge, "But if that dwarfe I could with me convay, "I lightly snatcht him up, and with me bore away. LXII. "Thereat he shriekt aloud, that with his cry "The tyrant selfe came forth with yelling bray, "And me pursew'd; but nathemore would I "Forgoe the purchase of my gotten pray, "But have perforce him hether brought away." Thus as they talked, loe! where nigh at hand Those ladies two, yet doubtfull through dismay, In presence came, desirous t'understand Tydings of all which there had hapned on the land. LXIII. Where soone as sad Aemylia did espie She to him ran, and him with streight embras Then gan he all this storie to renew, That her deare hart full deepely made to rew, Siij THE FAERY QUEENE. BOOK IV. CANTO IX. The Squire of Low Degree releast Britomart fightes with many knights; I. HARD is the doubt, and difficult to deeme, Or zeale of friends combynd with vertues meet; For naturall affection soone doth cesse, And quenched is with Cupid's greater flame ; So love of soule doth love of bodie passe, [brasse. III. All which who list by tryall to assay, In which this squire's true friendship more did sway Now after that Prince Arthur graunted had And made it so to ride as it alive was found, V. Then did he take that chaced squire, and layd And made his dwarfe, though with unwilling ayd, Whom when the watch, that kept continuall ward, |