The Faerie Queene · Book V · Canto 5 7 (2/2)

Not so great wonder and astonishment

Did the most chast Penelope possesse

To see her Lord, that was reported drent

And dead long since in dolorous distresse,

Come home to her in piteous wretchednesse,

After long travell of full twenty yeares,

That she knew not his favours likelynesse,

For many scarres and many hoary heares,

But stood long staring on him mongst uncertaine feares.

“Ah, my deare Lord! what sight is this?” quoth she,

“What May-game hath misfortune made of you?

Where is that dreadfull manly looke? where be

Those mighty palmes, the which ye wont t’embrew

In bloud of Kings, and great hoastes to subdew?

Could ought on earth so wondrous change have wrought,

As to have robde you of that manly hew?

Could so great courage stouped have to ought?

Then, farewell fleshly force! I see thy pride is nought.”

Thenceforth she streight into a bowre him brought,

And causd him those uncomely weedes undight;

And in their steede for other rayment sought,

Whereof there was great store, and armors bright,

Which had bene reft from many a noble Knight,

Whom that proud Amazon subdewed had,

Whilest Fortune favourd her successe in fight:

In which when as she him anew had clad,

She was reviv’d, and joyd much in his semblance glad.

So there a while they afterwards remained,

Him to refresh, and her late wounds to heale:

During which space she there as Princess rained,

And changing all that forme of common-weale

The liberty of women did repeale,

Which they had long usurpt; and, them restoring

To mens subjection, did true Justice deale,

That all they, as a Goddesse her adoring,

Her wisedome did admire, and hearkned to her loring.

For all those Knights, which long in captive shade

Had shrowded bene, she did from thraldome free,

And magistrates of all that city made,

And gave to them great living and large fee:

And that they should for ever faithfull bee,

Made them sweare fealty to Artegall;

Who when him selfe now well recur’d did see,

He purposd to proceed, what so befall,

Uppon his first adventure which him forth did call.

Full sad and sorrowfull was Britomart

For his departure, her new cause of griefe;

Yet wisely moderated her owne smart,

Seeing his honor, which she tendred chiefe,

Consisted much in that adventures priefe:

The care whereof, and hope of his successe,

Gave unto her great comfort and reliefe;

That womanish complaints she did represse,

And tempred for the time her present heavinesse.

There she continu’d for a certaine space,

Till through his want her woe did more increase:

Then hoping that the change of aire and place

Would change her paine, and sorrow somewhat ease,

She parted thence her anguish to appease.

Meane-while her noble Lord, sir Artegall,

Went on his way; ne ever howre did cease

Till he redeemed had that Lady thrall:

That for another Canto will more fitly fall.