“O King (quoth I) the gods preserue thy grace, The heauens requite thy mercy shew’d to me, And all the starres direct thy regall race, With[273] happy course, long length of yeares to see. The earth with fertile fruites enrich so thee, That thou maist still like Justice here dispose, And euermore treade downe thy deadly foes.” 16. The noble King commaunded to vnbinde Mine armes, and let me lewce, and free at will.[274] And afterward such fauoure did I finde,[275] That as his Queene I was at elbowe still: And I enjoy’d al pleasures at my fill. So that they quite had quenched out my thrall, And I forgat my former Fortunes all. 17. Thus loe by fauoure I obtayn’d my suite, So had my beauty set his heart on fire, That I could make _Locrinus_ euen as muite, Or pleasaunt as my causes did require. And when I knew he could no way retire, I prayd he would his fauoure so extend, As I might not be blamed in the end. 18. “For if (quoth I) you take me as your owne, And eke my loue to you hath[276] constant beene, Then let your loue likewise agayne bee showne, And wed mee as you may[277] your spoused Queene. If since in mee mislikyng you haue seene Then best depart betime, before defame Begin to take from _Elstride_ her good name.” 19. “No wauering heart (sayd he) _Locrinus_ beares, No fayned flattery shall thy fayth deface: Thy beauty, birth, fame, vertue, age and yeares, Constrayne mee both thee and thyne hestes imbrace:[278] I must of force geue thy requests a place, For as they doe with reason good consent, Euen so I graunt thee all thy whole intent.” 20. Then was the time appoynted and the daye, In which I should bee wedded to this King. But in this case his counsayle caus’d a staye, And sought out meanes at discord vs to bring. Eke _Corinœus_ claym’d a former thing, A precontract was made and full accord Betweene his daughter and my soueraigne Lord. 21. And yet the King did geue mee comfort still, Hee sayd hee could not to[279] forsake my loue: Hee euermore would beare mee all good will, As both my beauty and deserts did moue. But still the end doth who is faulty proue:[280] His counsayle at the last did him constrayne To marry her, vnto my greeuous payne. 22.