That never man such mischiefes did torment; Death better were, death did he oft desire, But death will never come when needes require. Whom so dismayd when that his foe be- He cast1 to suffer him no more respire,5 250 XXIX It fortuned (as fayre it then befell,) 280 Which when his pensive lady saw from Behynd his backe, unweeting, where he And gan to highest God entirely pray That feared chaunce from her to turne away: With folded hands, and knees full lowly bent, 285 All night shee watcht, ne once adowne would lay 2 boiled. 3 burned. ⚫ tail. Whom when the damned feend so fresh The mortall sting his angry needle shott Quite through his shield, and in his shoulder seasd,7 Where fast it stucke, ne would thereout be 2 stain itself. • smote. 4 yielding. & outstretched. 7 fastened. The hell-bred beast threw forth unto the The paw yett missed not his minisht skies, 354 That all was covered with darknesse dire: Then, fraught with rancour and en might, But hong still on the shield, as it at first was pight.1 10 Which he from hellish entrailes did expire. It chaunst, (Eternall God that chaunce did guide) As he recoiled backeward, in the mire 3 filled. 11 anger. ⚫ talons. 7 then. 8 might. 13 annoyed. • diminished. black as a thunderbolt. 5 knew. 10 placed. 12 hot room. 405 14 wearied out. 15 Fit to decke maydens bowres, Sweete Themmes, runne softly, till I There, in a meadow, by the rivers side, A flocke of nymphes I chaunced to espy, 20 All lovely daughters of the flood thereby, With goodly greenish locks all loose untyde, As each had bene a bryde: And each one had a little wicker basket, Made of fine twigs entrayled curiously, 25 In which they gathered flowers to fill their flasket; And with fine fingers cropt full feateously10 The tender stalkes on hye. |