Canto 5

WE see the rest of liuing creatures all,
Both birds and beasts that on the earth do dwell,
Liue most in peace, or if they hap to brall,
The male and female still agreeth well.
The fierce, the faint, the greater not the small,
Against the law of nature will rebell.
The […]auage Lions, Beares and Buls most wyld,
Vnto their females shew themselues most myld.

What fiend of hell, what rage raignes here so rife,
Disturbing still the state of humane harts?
How comes it that we find twixt man and wife,
Continuall iarres bred by iniurious parts?
The vndefiled bed is filde by strife,
And teares that grow of words vnkind and thwarts:
Nay oft all care and feare is so exiled,
Their guiltie hands with blood haue bene defiled.

No doubt they are accurst and past all grace,
And such a[…] haue of God nor man no feare,
That dare to strike a damsell in the face,
Or of her head to minish but a haire:
But who with knife or poison would vnlace
Their line of life, or flesh in peeces teare,
No man, nor made of flesh and blood I deeme him,
But sure some hound of hell I do esteeme him.

Such were these theeues that would the damsell kill,
That by Renaldos comming was recouered:
They secretly had brought her downe the hill,
In hope their fact could neuer be discouered,
Yet such is God, so good his gracious will,
That when she looked least she was deliuered,
And with a chearfull heart that late was sorie,
She doth begin to tell the wofull storie.

Good sir (said she) my conscience to discharge,
The greatest tyrannie I shall you tell,
That erst in Thebes, in Athens or in Arge,
Was euer wrought, or where worst tyrants dwell:
My voice and skill would faile to tell at large
The filthy fact, for I beleeue it well,
Vpon this countrey Phoebus shines more cold,
Because he doth such wicked acts behold.

Men seeke we see, and haue in euery age,
To foile their foes, and tread them in the dust:
But there to wreake their ranco[…] and their rage,
Where they are lou'd, is foule and too vniust.
Loue should preuaile, iust anger to asswage,
If loue bring death, whereto can women trust?
Yet loue did breed my danger and my feare,
As you shall heare if you will giue me eare.

For entring first into my tender spring
Of youthfull yeares, vnto the court I came,
And serued there the daughter of our king,
And kept a place of honor with good fame,
Till loue (alas that loue such care should bring)
Enuide my stare, and sought to do me shame.
Loue made the Duke of Alban seeme to me,
The furest wight that erst mine eye did see.

And (for I thought he lou'd me all aboue)
I bent my selfe to hold and loue him best,
But now I find that hard it is to proue,
By sight or speech what bides in secret brest,
While I (poore I) did thus beleeue and loue,
He gets my bodie bed and all the rest.
Nor thinking this might breed my mistres danger,
I vsd this practise in Geneuras chamber.

Where all the things of greatest value lay,
And whore Geneura sleepes her selfe so metime,
There at a window we did finde a way,
In secret sort to couer this our crime:
Here when my loue and I were bent to play,
I taught him by a scale of cord to clime,
And at the window I my selfe would stand,
And let the ladder downe into his hand.

So oft we meete togither at this sport,
As faire Geneuras absence giues vs leaue,
Who vsd to other chambers to resort
In summer time, and this for heat to leaue:
And this we carried in so secret sort,
As none there was our doings did perceaue,
For why, this window standeth out of sight,
Where none do come by day nor yet by night.

Twixt vs this vse continu'd many dayes,
Yea many months we vsd this priuie traine,
Loue set my heart on fire so many wayes,
That still my liking lasted to my paine.
I might haue found by certaine strange delayes,
That he but little lou'd and much did faine,
For all his sleights were not so closely couered,
But that they might full easly be discouered.

At last my Duke did seeme enflamed sore,
One faire Geneura: neither can I tell,
If now this loue began or was before,
That I did come to court with her to dwell.
But looke if I were subiect to his lore,
And looke if he my loue requited well,
He askt my aid herein no whit ashamed,
To tell me how of her he was enflamed.

Not all of loue, but partly of ambition,
He beares in hand his minde is onely bent,
Because of her great state and hie condition,
To haue her for his wife is his intent:
He nothing doubteth of the kings permission,
Had he obtaind Geneuras free assent.
Ne was it hard for him to take in hand,
That was the second person in the land.

He sware to me, if I would be so kind
His hie attempt to further and assist,
That at his hands I should great fauour finde,
And of the king procure me what me list:
How he would euer keepe it in his mind,
And in his former loue to me persist,
And notwithstanding wife and all the rest,
I should be sure that he would loue me best.

I straight consented to his fond request,
As readie his commandment to obay,
And thinking still my time emploied best,
When I had pleasd his fancie any way:
And when I found a time then was I prest,
To talke of him, and good of him to say.
I vsed all my art, my wit, and paine,
Geneuras loue and liking to obtaine.

God knowth how glad I was to worke his will,
How diligent I followd his direction,
I spar'd no time, no trauell, nor no skill,
To this my Duke to kindle her affection:
But alwayes this attempt succeeded ill,
Loue had her heart alreadie in subiection,
A comely knight did faire Geneura please,
Come to this countrie from beyond the seas.

From Italy for seruice (as I heare)
Vnto the court he and his brother came,
In tourneys and in tilt he had no peere,
All Britain soone was filled with his fame.
Our king did loue him well and hold him deere,
And did by princely gifts confirme the same.
Faire castels, townes, and lordships, him he gaue,
And made him great, such power great princes haue.

Our Soueraigne much, his daughter likt him more,
And Ariodant this worthy knight is named,
So braue in deeds of armes himselfe he bore,
No Ladie of his loue need be ashamed:
The hill of Sicil burneth not so sore,
Nor is the mount Vesuuio so inflamed,
As Ariodantes heart was set on fire,
Geneuras beautie kindling his desire.

His certaine loue by signe most certaine found,
Did cause my sute vnwillingly was hard,
She well perceiu'd his loue sincere and sound,
Enclining to his sute with great regard,
In vaine I seeke my Dukes loue to expound,
The more I seeke to make the more I mard.
For while with words I seeke to praise & grace him
No lesse with workes she striueth to deface him.

Thus being oft repulst (so euill sped I,)
To my too much beloued Duke I went,
And told him how her heart was fixt alredie,
How on the stranger all her mind was bent:
And praid him now sith there was no remedie,
That to surcease his sute he would consent,
For Ariodant so lou'd the princely wench,
That Neptunes floods vnneth his flames cold quench

When Polynesso (so the Duke we call)
This tale vnpleasant oftentime had hard,
And found himselfe his likel'hood verie small,
When with my words her deeds he had compard,
Greeu'd with repulse, and greeued there withall,
To see this stranger thus to be prefard.
The loue that late his heart so sore had burned,
Was cooled all, and into hatred turned.

In[…]ding by some vile and subtil traine,
To part Geneura from her faithfull louer,
And plant so great mislike betweene them twaine,
Yet with so cunning shew the same to couer,
That her good name he will so foule distaine,
Al[…]e nor dead she neuer shall recouer.
But lest he might in this attempt be thwarted,
To none at all his secret he imparted.

Now thus resolu'd (Dalinda faire) quoth he,
(I so am cald) you know though trees be topt,
And throwded low, yet sprout yong shoots we see,
And issue from that head so lately lopt:
So in my loue it fareth now with me.
Though by repulse cut short and shrewdly cropt,
The pared tops such buds of loue do render,
That still I proue new passions do engender.

N[…] do I deeme so deare the great delight,
As I disdaine I should be so reiect,
And lest this griefe should ouercome me q[…]ight,
Because I faile to bring it to effect,
To please my fond conceit this very night,
I pray thee deare to do as I direct:
When faire Geneura to her bed is gone,
Take thou the clothes she ware and put them on.

As she is wont her golden haire to dresse,
In stately sort to wind it on her wire,
So you her person liuely to expresse,
May dresse your owne and weare her head attire,
Her gorgets and her iewels rich no lesse,
You may put on t'accomplish my desire.
And when vnto the window I ascend,
I will my comming there you do attend.

Thus I may passe my fancies foolish fit,
And thus (quoth he) my selfe I would deceiue.
And I that had no reason nor no wit,
His shamefull drift (though open) to perceiue:
Did weare my mistresse robes that seru'd me fit,
And stood at window, there him to receiue.
And of the fraud I was no whit aware,
Till that fell out that caused all my care.

Of late twixt him and Ariodant had past,
About Geneura faire these words or such,
(For why there was good friendship in times past
Betweene them two, till loue their hearts did such)
The Duke such kind of speeches out did cast,
He said to Ariodant, he marueld much,
That hauing alwayes lou'd and well regarded him,
That he againe so thanklesly rewarded him.

I kn[…]w you see (for needs it must be seene)
The good consent and matrimoniall loue,
That long betweene Geneura and me hath beene,
For whom I meane ere long the king to moue.
Why should you fondly thrust your selfe betweene?
Why should you roue your reach so faire aboue?
For if my c[…]e were yours I would forbeare,
Or if I knew that you so loued were.

And I much more (the other straight replies)
Do maruell you sir Duke are so vnkind,
That know our loue, and see it with your eies,
(Except that wilfulnesse haue made you blind)
That no man can more sured knots deuise,
Then her to me, and me to her do bind,
Into this sute so rashly are intruded,
Still finding from all hope you are excluded.

Why beare you not to me the like respect,
As my good will requireth at your hand?
Since that our loue is growne to this effect,
We meane to knit our selues in weddings ban[…]
Which to fulfill ere long I do expect,
For know I am (though not in rents or land)
Yet in my Princes grace no whit inferiour,
And in his daughters greatly your superiour.

Well (said the Duke) errors are hardly moued,
That loue doth breed in vnaduised brest.
Each thinkes himselfe to be the best beloued,
And yet but one of vs is loued best.
Wherefore to haue the matter plainly proued,
Which should proceed in loue, and which shold rest,
Let vs agree that victor he remaine,
That of her liking sheweth signes most plaine.

I will be bound to you by solemne oth,
Your secrets all and counsell to conceale,
So you likewise will plight to me your troth,
The thing I shew you neuer to reueale.
To trie the matter thus they greed both,
And from this doome hereafter not repeale:
But on the Bible first they were deposed,
That this their speech should neuer be disclosed.

And first the stranger doth his state reueale,
And tell the truth in hope to end the strife,
How she had promist him in wo and weale,
To liue with him, and loue him all her life:
And how with writing with her hand and seale,
She had confirmed she would be his wife,
Except she were forbidden by her father,
For then to liue vnmarride she had rather.

And furthermore he nothing doubts (he said)
Of his good seruice so plaine proofe to show,
As that the king shall nothing be afraid,
On such a Knight his daughter to bestow:
And how in this he needeth little aid,
As finding still his fauour greater grow,
He doubts not he will grant his liking after
That he shall know it pleaseth so his daughter.

And thus you see so sound stands mine estate,
That I my selfe in thought can wish no more,
Who seekes her now is sure to come too late,
For that he seekes is granted me before,
Now onely rests in marridge holy state,
To knit the knot that must dure euermore.
And for her praise, I need not to declare it,
As knowing none to whom I may compare it.

Thus Ariodant a tale most true declared,
And what reward he hoped for his paine.
But my false Duke that him had fouly snared,
And found by my great folly such a traine,
Doth sweare all this might no way be compared
With his, no though himselfe did iudge remaine,
For I (quoth he) can shew signes so expresse,
As you your selfe inferiour shall confesse.

Alas (quoth he) I see you do not know
How cunningly these women can dissemble,
They least to loue where they make greatest show,
And not to be the thing they most resemble,
But other fauours I receiue I trow,
When as we two do secretly assemble,
As I will tell you (though I should conceale it)
Because you promise neuer to reueale it.

The truth is this, that I full oft haue seene
Her iuory corpes, and bene with her all night,
And naked laine her naked armes betweene,
And full enioyne the fruites of loues delight:
Now iudge who hath in greatest fauour beene,
To which of vs she doth pertaine in right,
And then giue place, and yeeld to me mine owne,
Sith by iust proofes I now haue made it knowne.

Iust proofes? (quoth Ariodant) nay shamefull lies,
Nor will I credit giue to any word:
Is this the finest tale you can deuise?
What, hop'd you that with this I could be dord?
No, no, but sith a slander foule doth rise
By thee to her, maintaine it with thy sword,
I call thee lying traitor to thy face,
And meane to proue it in this present place.

Tush (quoth the Duke) it were a foolish part,
For you to fight with me that am your frend,
Sith plaine to shew without deceit or art,
As much as I haue said I do intend.
These words did gripe poore Ariodantes hart,
Downe all his limbes a shiuering doth descend,
And still he stood with eyes cast downe on ground,
Like one would fall into a deadly sound.

With wofull mind, with pale and chearlesse face,
With trembling voice that came from bitter thought,
He said he much desir'd to see this place,
Where such strange feats and miracles were wrought.
Hath faire Geneura granted you this grace,
That I (quoth he) so oft in vaine haue sought?
Now sure except I see it in my vew,
I neuer will beleeue it can be trew.

The Duke did say he would with all his hart
Both shew him where and how the thing was done,
And straight from him to me he doth depart,
Whom to his purpose wholy he had wonne:
With both of vs he playth so well his part,
That both of vs thereby were quite vndone.
First he tels him that he would haue him placed
Among some houses falne and quite defaced.

Some ruynd houses stood opposd direct
Against the window where he doth ascend,
But Ariodant discreetly doth suspect
That this false Duke some mischiefe did intend,
And thought that all did tend to this effect,
By trechery to bring him to his end,
That sure he had deuised this pretence,
With mind to kill him ere he parted thence.

Thus though to see this sight he thought it long,
Yet tooke he care all mischiefe to preuent,
And if perhap they offer force or wrong,
By force the same for to resist he ment.
He had a brother valiant and strong,
Lurcanio cald, and straight for him he sent,
Not doubting but alone by his assistance,
Against twice twentie men to make resistance.

He bids his brother take his sword in hand,
And go into a place that he would guide,
And in a corner closely there to stand,
Aloofe from tother threescore paces wide,
The cause he would not let him vnderstand,
But prayes him there in secret sort to bide,
Vntill such time he hapt to heare him call,
Else (if he lou'd him) not to stirre at all.

His brother would not his request denie,
And so went Ariodant into his place,
And vndiscouerd closely there did lie,
Till hauing looked there a little space,
The craftie Duke to come he might descrie,
That meant the chast Geneura to deface,
Who hauing made to me his wonted signes,
I let him downe the ladder made of lines.

The gowne I ware was white, and richly set
With aglets, pearle, and lace of gold well garnished,
My stately tresses couerd with a net
Of beaten gold most pure and brightly varnished.
Not thus content, the vaile aloft I let,
Which only Princes weare: thus stately harnished,
And vnder Cupids banner bent to fight,
All vnawares I stood in all their sight.

For why Lurcanio either taking care,
Lest Ariodant should in some danger go,
Or that he sought (as all desirous are)
The counsels of his dearest friend to know,
Close out of sight by secret steps and ware,
Hard at his heeles his brother followd so,
Till he was nearer come by fiftie paces,
And there againe himselfe he newly places.

But I that thought no ill, securely came
Vnto the open window as I said,
For once or twice before I did the same,
And had no hurt, which made me lesse afraid:
I cannot boast (except I boast of shame)
When in her robes I had my selfe araid,
Me thought before I was not much vnlike her,
But certaine now I seemed very like her.

[…] that stood so farre aloofe,
Was more deceiu'd by distance of the place,
A[…]d str[…]ght beleeu'd against his owne behoofe,
Seeing her clothes that he had seene her face.
Now […]et those iudge that partly know by proofe,
The wofull plight of Ariodantes case,
When Po[…]ness[…] came by faithlesse frend,
In both their sights the ladder to ascend.

I that his comming willingly did wait,
And he once come thought nothing went amisse,
Embrac'd him kindly at the first receit,
His lips, his cheeks, and all his face did kisse,
And he the more to colour his deceit,
Did vse me kinder then he had ere this.
This sight much care to Ariodante brought,
Thinking Geneura with the Duke was nought.

The griefe and sorrow sinketh so profound
Into his heart, he straight resolues to die,
He puts the pummell of his sword on ground,
And meanes himselfe vpon the point to lie:
Which when Iur[…]anio saw and plainly found,
That all this while was closely standing by,
And P[…]messos comming did discerne,
Though who it was he neuer yet could learne.

He held his brother for the present time,
That else himselfe for griefe had surely slaine,
Who had he not stood night and come betime,
His words and speeches had bene all in vaine.
What shall (quoth he) a faithlesse womans crime,
Cause you to die or put your selfe to paine?
Nay let them go, and curst be all their kind,
Ay borne like clouds with eu'ry blast of wind.

You rather should some iust reuenge deuise,
As she deserues to bring her to confusion:
Sith we haue plainly seene with both our eyes,
Her filthy fact appeare without collusion.
Loue those that loue againe, if you be wise,
For of my counsell this is the conclusion,
Put vp your sword against your selfe prepared,
And let her sinne be to the king declared.

His brothers words in Ariodantes mind
Seeme for the time to make some small impression,
But still the carelesse wound remaind behind,
Despare had of his heart the full possession.
And though he knew the thing he had assignd,
Contrary to Christend knights profession:
Yet here on earth he torment felt so sore,
In hell it selfe he thought there was no more.

An[…]'eeming now after a little pause,
Vnto his brothers counsell to consent,
He fro[…] the court next day himselfe withdrawes,
And makes not one priuie to his intent,
His brother and the Duke both knew the cause,
But neither knew the place whereto he went:
Diuers thereof most diuersly did iudge,
Some by good will perswaded, some by grudge.

Seu'n dayes entire about for him they sought,
Seu'n dayes entire no newes of him was found,
The eight a peasant to Geneura brought
These newes, that in the sea he saw him drownd:
Not that the waters were with tempest wrought,
Nor that his ship was stricken on the ground.
How then? Forsooth (quoth he) and therewith wept,
Downe from a rocke into the sea he lept.

And further he vnto Geneura told,
How he met Ariodant vpon the way,
Who made him go with him for to behold
The wofull act that he would do that day.
And charged him the matter to vnfold,
And to his Princes daughter thus to say,
Had he bene blind, he had full happie beene,
His death should shew that he too much had seene.

There stands a rocke against the Irish ile,
From thence into the sea himselfe he cast:
I stood and looked after him a while,
The height and steepnesse made me sore agast.
I thence haue traueld hither many a mile,
To shew you plainly how the matter past.
When as the clowne this tale had told and verifide,
Geneuras heart was not a little terrifide.

O Lord what wofull words by her were spoken,
Laid all alone vpon her restlesse bed!
Oft did she strike her guiltlesse brest in token
Of that great griefe that inwardly was bred:
Her golden tresses all were rent and broken,
Recounting still those wofull words he sed,
How that the cause his cruell death was such,
Was onely this, that he had seene too much.

The rumor of his death spred farre and neare,
And how for sorrow he himselfe had killed,
The King was sad, the court of heauy cheare,
By Lords and Ladies many teares were spilled.
His brother most, as louing him most deare,
Had so his mind with sorrow ouerfilled,
That he was scantly able to refraine,
With his owne hands himselfe for to haue slaine.

And oftentimes repeating in his thought,
The filthy fact he saw the other night,
Which (as you heard) the Duke and I had wrought,
I little looking it would come to light,
And that the same his brothers death had brought,
On faire Geneura he doth wreake his spight,
Not caring (so did wrath him ouerwhelme)
To leese the kings good will and all his realm[…],

The king and nobles sitting in the hall,
Right pensiue all for Ariodants destruction,
Lurcanio vndertakes before them all,
To giue them perfect notice and instruction,
Who was the cause of Ariodantes fall:
And hauing made some little introduction,
He said it was vnchast Geneuras crime,
That made him kill himselfe before his time.

What should I seeke to hide his good intent?
His loue was such as greater none could be,
He hop'd to haue your highnesse free assent,
When you his value and his worth should see:
But while a plaine and honest way he went,
Behold he saw another climbe the tree,
And in the midst of all his hope and sute,
Another tooke the pleasure and the frute.

He further said, not that he had surmised,
But that his eyes had seene Geneura stand,
And at a window as they had deuised,
Let downe a ladder to her louers hand,
But in such sort he had himselfe disguised,
That who it was he could not vnderstand.
And for due proofe of this his accusation,
He bids the combat straight by proclamation.

How sore the king was grieu'd to heare these newes,
I leaue it as a thing not hard to guesse,
Lurcanio plaine his daughter doth accuse,
Of whom the King did looke for nothing lesse:
And this the more his feare and care renewes,
That on this point the lawes are so expresse,
Except by combat it be prou'd a lie,
Needs must Geneura be condemnd to die.

How hard the Scottish law is in this case,
I do not doubt but you haue heard it told,
How she that doth another man embrace,
Beside her husband, be she yong or old,
Must die, except within two fortnights space,
She find a champion stout that will vphold,
That vnto her no punishment is due,
But he that doth accuse her is vntrue.

The King (of crime that thinkes Geneura cleare)
Makes offer her to wed to any knight,
That will in armes defend his daughter deare,
And proue her innocent in open fight.
Yet for all this no champion doth appeare,
Such feare they haue of this Lurcanios might.
One gazeth on another as they stand,
But none of them the combat takes in hand.

And further by ill fortune and mischance,
Her brother Zerbin now is absent thence,
And gone to Spaine (I thinke) or else to France,
Who were he here, she could not want defence,
Or if perhap so luckie were her chance,
To send him notice of her need from hence,
Had she the presence of her noble brother,
She should not need the aide of any other.

The King that meanes to make a certaine triall,
If faire Geneura guiltie be or no,
(For still she stiffly stood in the deniall,
Of this that wrought her vndeserued wo)
Examines all her maids, but they reply all,
That of the matter nothing they did know.
Which made me seeke for to preuent the danger,
The Duke and I might haue about the stranger.

And thus for him more then my selfe afraid,
(So faithfull loue to this false Duke I bare)
I gaue him notice of these things and said,
That he had need for both of vs beware.
He praisd my constant loue, and farther praid,
That I would credit him, and take no care,
He points two men (but both to me vnknowne)
To bring me to a castle of his owne.

Now sir, I thinke you find by this effect,
How soundly I did loue him from my hart,
And how I prou'd by plaine course and direct,
My meaning was not any wayes to start:
Now marke if he to me bare like respect,
And marke if he requited my desart.
Alas how shall a silly wench attaine,
By louing true to be true lou'd againe?

This wicked Duke vngratefull and periured,
Beginneth now of me to haue mistrust,
His guiltie conscience could not be assured,
How to conceale his wicked acts vniust,
Except my death (though causlesse) be procured,
So hard his heart, so lawlesse was his lust:
He said he would me to his castle send,
But that same castle should haue bene mine end.

He wild my guides when they were past that hill,
And to the thicke a little way descended,
That there (to quite my loue) they should me kill,
Which as you say they to haue done intended,
Had not your happie comming stop their will,
That (God and you be thankt) I was defended.
This tale Dalinda to Renaldo told,
And all the while their iourney on they hold.

This strange aduenture luckily befell
To good Renaldo, for that now he found,
By this Dalinda that this tale did tell,
Geneuras mind vnspotted cleare and sound,
And now his courage was confirmed well,
That wanted erst a true and certaine ground:
For though before for her he meant to fight,
Yet rather now for to defend the right.

To great S. Andrews towne he maketh hast,
Whereas the King was set with […]ll his traine,
Most carefull waiting for the trumpets blast,
That must pronounce his daughters ioy or paine,
But now Renaldo spurred had so fast,
He was arriu'd within a mile or twaine,
And through the village as he then was riding,
He met a page that brought them fresher tiding.

How there was come a warriour all disguised,
That meant to proue Lurcanio said vntrew,
His colours and his armour well deuised,
In manner and in making very new:
And though that sundry sundrily surmised,
Yet who it was for certaine no man knew:
His page demaunded of his masters name,
Did sweare he neuer heard it since he came.

Now came Renaldo to the citie wall,
And at the gate but little time he staid,
The porter was so readie at his call:
But poore Dalinda now grew sore afraid,
Renaldo bids her not to feare at all,
For why he would her pardon beg he said:
So thrusting in among the thickest rout,
He saw them stand on scaffolds all about.

It straight was told him by the standers by,
How there was thither come a stranger knight,
That meant Geneuras innocence to try,
And that already was begun the fight:
And how the greene that next the wall did lie,
Was raild about of purpose for the sight.
This newes did make Renaldo hasten in,
And leaue behind Dalinda at her Inne.

He told her he would come againe ere long,
And spurs his horse that made an open lane,
He pierced in the thickest preasse among,
Whereas these valiant knights had giu'n and tane,
Full many strokes, with sturdy hand and strong,
Lurcanio thinks to bring Geneuras bane,
The tother meanes the Ladie to defend,
Whom (though vnknowne) they fauor & commend.

There was Duke Polynesso brauely mounted,
Vpon a cour[…]er of an exc'lent race,
Sixe knights among the better sort accounted,
On foote in armes do marshall well the place.
The Duke by office all the rest surmounted,
High Constable (as alwayes in such case)
Who of Geneuras danger was as glad,
As all the rest were sorrowfull and sad.

Now had Renaldo made an open way,
And was arriued there in luckie howre,
To cause the combatto surcease and stay,
Which these two knights applide with al their powre.
Renaldo in the court appeard that day,
Of noble chiualrie the very flowre,
For first the Princes audience he praid,
Then with great expectation thus he said.

Send (noble Prince) quoth he, send by and by,
And cause forthwith that they surcease the fight,
For know, that which so ere of these doth die,
It certaine is he dies against all right.
One thinks he tels the truth, and tels a lie,
And is deceiu'd by error in his sight,
And looke what cause his brothers death procured,
That very same hath him to fight allured.

The tother of a nature good and kind,
Not knowing if he hold the right or no,
To die or to defend her hath assignd,
Left so rare beautie should he spilled so.
I harmelesse hope to saue the faultlesse mind:
And those that mischiefe mind to worke them wo,
But first ô Prince to stay the fight giue order,
Before my speech proceedeth any farder.

Renaldos person with the tale he told,
Mou'd so the king, that straight without delay,
The knights were bidden both their hands to hold,
The combat for a time was causd to stay,
Then he againe with voice and courage bold,
The secret of the matter doth bewray;
Declaring plaine how Polynessos lecherie
Had first contriu'd and now betrayd his trecherie.

And proffreth of this speech to make a proofe,
By combat hand to hand with sword and speare:
The Duke was cald that stood nor farre aloofe,
And scantly able to conceale his feare;
He first denies, as was for his behoofe,
And straight to battell both agreed were,
They both were armd, the place before was ready,
Now must they fight there could be no remedy.

How was the king, how were the people glad,
That faire Geneura faultlesse there did stand,
As Gods great goodnesse now reuealed had,
And should be proued by Renaldos hand.
All thought the Duke of mind and manners bad,
The proudst and cruelst man in all the land,
It likely was as euery one surmised,
That this deceit by him should be deuised.

Now Polynesso stands with doubtfull brest,
With fainting heart, with pale dismayed face,
Their trumpets blew, they set their speares in rest,
Renaldo commeth on a mightie pace,
For at this fight he finish will the feast,
And where to strike him he designes a place:
His very first encounter was so fierce,
Renaldos speare the tothers sides did pierce.

And hauing ouerthrowne the Duke by force,
As one vnable so great strokes to bide,
And cast him cleane sixe paces from his horse,
Himselfe alights and th'others helme vntide,
Who making no resistance like a corse,
With faint low voice for mercie now he cride,
And plaine confest with this his latter breath,
The fault that brought him this deserued death.

No sooner had he made this last confession,
But that his life did faile him with his voy[…]e.
Geneuras double scape of foule oppression,
In life and fame did make the King reioyce:
In lieu of her to leese his crownes possession,
He would haue wisht, if such had bene his choice:
To leese his realme he could haue bene no sadder:
To get it lost he could haue bene no gladder.

The combat done, Renaldo straight vntide
His beauer, when the King that knew his face,
Gaue thanks to God that did so well prouide,
So doubtlesse helpe in such a dangerous case.
That vnknowne knight stood all this while aside,
And saw the matters passed in the place,
And eu'ry one did muse and maruell much,
What wight it was whose curtesie was such.

The king did aske his name because he ment,
With kingly gifts his seruice to reward.
Affirming plainly that his good intent,
Deserued thanks and very great regard.
The knight with much intreatie did assent,
And to disarme himselfe he straight prepard,
But who it was if you vouchsafe to looke,
I will declare it in another booke.