Broaching with bloody point his breast before Down from the wound trickled the bubbling gore, And bid pale Death come in at that red gaping door. XXI. There lies he cover'd now in lowly dust, And foully wallowing in clotted blood, Which from his breast swam in the steaming flood: His life he lost, and all his former pride : Aselges, struck with such a heavy sight, Greedy to 'venge his brother's sad decay, Spurr'd forth his flying steed with fell despite. And met the Virgin in the middle way : His spear against her head he fiercely threw, The wanton boy had dreamt, that latest night, Flying along the empty element, That hardly yet he knew whither his course was bent. The rest that saw with fear the ill success Of single fight, durst not like fortune try; But round beset her with their num'rous press : Before, beside, behind, they on her fly, j And every part with coward odds assail : But she redoubling strokes as thick as hail, Drove far their flying troops, and thresh'd with iron flail. XXV. As when a gentle greyhound set around With little curs, which dare his way molest, Snapping behind; soon as the angry hound Turning his course, hath caught the busiest, And shaking in his fangs hath well nigh slain; The rest fear'd with his crying run amain, And standing all aloof, whine, howl, and bark in vain. XXVI. The subtil Dragon, that from far did view The waste and spoil made by this Maiden Knight, Fell to his wonted guile; for well he knew All force was vain against such wondrous might : A crafty swain well taught to cunning harms, The watchfull'st sight, no difference could descry; Then up with both his hands he lifts his baleful sword. Ye pow'rful heav'ns! and Thou, their Governor! With what eyes can you view this doleful sight? How can you see your fairest conqueror So nigh her end by so unmanly slight? The dreadful weapon through the air doth glide; But sure you turn'd the harmful edge aside : Else must she there have fall'n, and by that traitor died. XXIX. Yet in her side deep was the wound impight; Her flowing life the shining armour stains: From that wide spring long rivers took their flight, With purple streams drowning the silver plains : Her cheerful colour now grows wan and pale, Which oft she strives with courage to recal, And rouse her fainting head, which down as oft would fall. XXX. All so a lily press'd with heavy rain, Which fills her cups with show'rs up to the brinks ; The weary stalk no longer can sustain The head, but low beneath the burthen sinks: Or as a virgin rose her leaves displays, Which too hot scorching beams quite disarrays; Th' undaunted Maid, feeling her feet deny And now, perceiving all her strength was spent, Thou chastest Love! that rul'st the wand'ring skies, More pure than purest heavens by thee mov'd; If thine own love in me thou sure hast prov'd; If ever thou, myself, my vows, my love hast lov'd; XXXIII. Let not this temple of thy spotless love, Be with foul hand, and beastly rage defil'd: With this few drops fell from her fainting eyes, To dew the fading roses of her cheek That much High Love seem'd passion'd with those cries; Much more those streams his heart and patience break: Straight he the charge gives to a winged swain, Quickly to step down to that bloody plain, And aid her weary arms, and rightful cause maintain. Soon stoops the speedy herald through the air, With thousand enemies, now fainting stands, Hie ye, ho, hie ye fast! the Highest Love commands.' They casting round about their angry eye, The wounded virgin almost sinking spied; They prick their steeds, which straight like lightning fly : Their brother Continence runs by their side; Fair Continence, that truly long before, As his heart's liege, this lady did adore: Encrates and his spouse with slashing sword Reviv'd the spirits, that now she 'gan to rise, XXXVIII. So have I often seen a purple flow'r, Fainting through heat, hang down her drooping head, But soon refreshed with a welcome show'r, Begins again her lively beauties spread, And with new pride her silken leaves display; Lays out her swelling bosom to the smiling day. Now rush they all into the flying trains ; Blood fires their blood, and slaughter kindles fight: Fall down as thick, as when a rustic wight And melts his sullen brow, and weeps sweet April show'rs, The greedy Dragon that aloof did spy So ill success of this renewed fray; More yex'd with loss of certain victory, Depriv'd of so assur'd and wished prey, |