LXI. "Then seek this path that I to thee presage, LXII. "Unworthy wretch," quoth he, "of so great grace, "What need of arms, where peace doth ay remain," Said he, "and battles none are to be fought? As for loose loves, they 're vain, and vanish into nought." LXIII. "O let me not," quoth he, "then turn again That nothing may my present hope impair." Who did her cause into thy hand commit, Till from her cursed foe thou have her freely quit." LXIV. "Then shall I soon," quoth he, "so God me grace, Abet that virgin's cause disconsolate, And shortly back return unto this place, "That word shall I," quoth he, "avouchen good, LXV. "For well I wot thou springst from ancient race Such, men do changelings call, so chang'd by Faëries theft. LXVI. "Thence she thee brought into this Faery land, And in an heaped furrow did thee hide; Till prick'd with courage, and thy force's pride, And prove thy puissant arms, as seems thee best became." LXVII. "O holy sire," quoth he, "how shall I quite* That hast my name and nation read aright, To have returned, but dazed were his eyne Through passing brightness which did quite confound His feeble sense, and too exceeding shine. So dark are earthly things compar'd to things divine! LXVIII. At last, whenas himself he gan to find, To Una back he cast him to retire ; Who him awaited still with pensive mind. Great thanks, and goodly meed, to that good sire He thence departing gave for his pains' hire. So came to Una, who him joy'd to see; And, after little rest, gan him desire Of her adventure mindful for to be. So leave they take of Cælia and her daughters three. * Quite, repay. CANTO XI. The knight with that old dragon fights Two days incessantly: The third him overthrows; and gains I. HIGH time now 'gan it wax for Una fair High heaven behold the tedious toil, ye for me take! II. "Now are we come unto my native soil, And to the place where all our perils dwell; And strive your excellent self to excel; Above all knights on earth, that battle undertake." III. And pointing forth, "Lo! yonder is," said she, The watchman waiting tidings glad to hear, Unto you bring, to ease you of your misery!" IV. With that they heard a roaring hideous sound, And seem'd uneath to shake the stedfast ground. Of a great hill, himself like a great hill: But, all so soon as he from far descry'd Those glistring arms that heaven with light did fill, He rous'd himself full blithe, and hastened them until. V. Then bade the knight his lady yode* aloof, And to an hill herself withdraw aside : From whence she might behold that battle's proof, She him obey'd, and turned a little wide.— Now, O thou sacred Muse, most learned dame, Fair imp of Phœbus and his aged bride, The nurse of time and everlasting fame, That warlike hands ennoblest with immortal name; * Yode, go. |