The Faerie Queene · Book IV · Canto 4 3 (2/2)

Thereat the Champions both stood still a space,

To weeten what that sudden clamour ment:

Lo! where they spyde with speedie whirling pace,

One in a charet of straunge furniment

Towards them driving, like a storme out sent.

The charet decked was in wondrous wize

With gold and many a gorgeous ornament,

After the Persian Monarks antique guize,

Such as the maker selfe could best by art devize.

Much more of price and of more gratious powre,

Is this, then that same water of Ardenne,

The which Rinaldo drunck in happie howre,

Described by that famous Tuscane penne:

For that had might to change the hearts of men

Fro love to hate, a change of evill choise:

But this doth hatred make in love to brenne,

And heavy heart with comfort doth rejoyce.

Who would not to this vertue rather yeeld his voice?

At last arriving by the listes side,

Shee with her rod did softly smite the raile,

Which straight flew ope, and gave her way to ride.

Eftsoones out of her Coch she gan availe,

And pacing fairely forth did bid all haile,

First to her brother, whom she loved deare,

That so to see him made her heart to quaile;

And next to Cambell, whose sad ruefull cheare

Made her to change her hew, and hidden love t’appeare.

They lightly her requit, (for small delight

They had as then her long to entertaine)

And eft them turned both againe to fight:

Which when she saw, downe on the bloudy plaine

Her selfe she threw, and teares gan shed amaine;

Amongst her teares immixing prayers meeke,

And with her prayers reasons, to restraine

From blouddy strife, and blessed peace to seeke,

By all that unto them was deare, did them beseeke.

But when as all might nought with them prevaile,

Shee smote them lightly with her powrefull wand.

Then suddenly, as if their hearts did faile,

Their wrathfull blades downe fell out of their hand,

And they, like men astonisht, still did stand.

Thus whilest their minds were doubtfully distraught,

And mighty spirites bound with mightier band,

Her golden cup to them for drinke she raught,

Whereof, full glad for thirst, ech drunk an harty draught;

Of which so soone as they once tasted had,

Wonder it is that sudden change to see:

Instead of strokes, each other kissed glad,

And lovely haulst, from feare of treason free,

And plighted hands for ever friends to be.

When all men saw this sudden change of things,

So mortall foes so friendly to agree,

For passing joy, which so great marvaile brings,

They all gan shout aloud, that all the heaven rings.

All which when gentle Canacee beheld,

In hast she from her lofty chaire descended,

To weet what sudden tidings was befeld:

Where when she saw that cruell war so ended,

And deadly foes so faithfully affrended,

In lovely wise she gan that Lady greet,

Which had so great dismay so well amended:

And, entertaining her with curt’sies meet,

Profest to her true friendship and affection sweet.

Thus when they all accorded goodly were,

The trumpets sounded, and they all arose,

Thence to depart with glee and gladsome chere.

Those warlike champions both together chose

Homeward to march, themselves there to repose:

And wise Cambina, taking by her side

Faire Canacee, as fresh as morning rose,

Unto her Coch remounting, home did ride,

Admir’d of all the people and much glorifide.

Where making joyous feast theire daies they spent

In perfect love, devoide of hatefull strife,

Allide with bands of mutuall couplement;

For Triamond had Canacee to wife,

With whom he ledd a long and happie life;

And Cambel tooke Cambina to his fere,

The which as life were to each other liefe.

So all alike did love, and loved were,

That since their dayes such lovers were not found elswhere.