Vnworthy wretch (quoth he) of so great grace, lxii How dare I thinke such glory to attaine? These that haue it attaind, were in like cace (Quoth he) as wretched, and liu’d in like paine.[354] But deeds of armes must I at last be faine, And Ladies loue to leaue so dearely bought? What need of armes, where peace doth ay remaine, (Said he) and battailes none are to be fought?[355] As for loose loues are vaine,[356] and vanish into nought. O let me not (quoth he) then turne[357] againe lxiii Backe to the world, whose ioyes so fruitlesse are; But let me here for aye in peace remaine, Or streight way on that last long voyage fare, That nothing may my present hope empare. That may not be (said he) ne maist thou yit Forgo that royall maides bequeathed care, Who did her cause into thy hand commit, Till from her cursed foe thou haue her freely quit. Then shall I soone, (quoth he) so God me grace, lxiv Abet that virgins cause disconsolate, And shortly backe returne vnto this place, To walke this way in Pilgrims poore estate. But now aread, old father, why of late Didst thou behight me borne of English blood, Whom all a Faeries sonne doen nominate?[358] That word shall I (said he) auouchen good, Sith to thee is vnknowne the cradle of thy brood. For well I wote, thou springst from ancient race lxv Of _Saxon_ kings, that haue with mightie hand And many bloudie battailes fought in place[359] High reard their royall throne in _Britane_[360] land, And vanquisht them, vnable to withstand: From thence a Faerie thee vnweeting reft, There as thou slepst in tender swadling band, And her base Elfin brood there for thee left. Such men do Chaungelings call, so chaungd by Faeries theft. Thence she thee brought into this Faerie lond, lxvi And in an heaped furrow did thee hyde, Where thee a Ploughman all vnweeting fond, As he his toylesome teme that way did guyde, And brought thee vp in ploughmans state to byde, Whereof _Georgos_ he thee gaue to name; Till prickt with courage, and thy forces pryde, To Faery court thou cam’st to seeke for fame, And proue thy puissaunt armes, as seemes thee best became. O holy Sire (quoth he) how shall I quight lxvii The many fauours I with thee haue found, That hast my name and nation red aright, And taught the way that does to heauen bound? This said, adowne he looked to the ground, To haue returnd, but dazed were his eyne, Through passing brightnesse, which did quite confound His feeble sence, and too exceeding shyne. So darke are earthly things compard to things diuine.