And forth he fares full of malicious mind, ii To worken mischiefe and auenging woe, Where euer he that godly knight may find, His onely hart sore, and his onely foe, Sith _Vna_ now he algates must forgoe, Whom his victorious hands did earst restore To natiue[438] crowne and kingdome late ygoe: Where she enioyes sure peace for euermore, As weather-beaten ship arriu’d on happie shore. Him therefore now the obiect of his spight iii And deadly food[439] he makes: him to offend By forged treason, or by open fight He seekes, of all his drift the aymed end: Thereto his subtile engins he does bend,[440] His practick wit, and his faire filed tong, With thousand other sleights: for well he kend, His credit now in doubtfull ballaunce hong; For hardly could be[441] hurt, who was already stong. Still as he went, he craftie stales did lay,[442] iv With cunning traines him to entrap vnwares, And priuie spials plast in all his way, To weete what course he takes, and how he fares; To ketch him at a vantage[443] in his snares. But now so wise and warie was the knight[444] By triall of his former harmes and cares,[445] That he descride, and shonned still his slight: The fish that once was caught, new bait will hardly bite. Nath’lesse th’Enchaunter would not spare his paine, v In hope to win occasion to his will; Which when he long awaited had in vaine, He chaungd his minde from one to other ill: For to all good he enimy was still. Vpon the way him fortuned to meet, Faire marching vnderneath a shady hill, A goodly knight, all armd in harnesse meete, That from his head no place appeared to his feete. His carriage was full comely and vpright, vi His countenaunce demure and temperate, But yet so sterne and terrible in sight, That cheard his friends, and did his foes amate: He was an Elfin borne of noble state, And mickle worship in his natiue land; Well could he tourney and in lists debate, And knighthood tooke of good Sir _Huons_ hand, When with king _Oberon_ he came to Faerie land. Him als accompanyd vpon the way vii A comely Palmer, clad in blacke attire, Of ripest yeares, and haires all hoarie gray, That with a staffe his feeble steps did stire, Least his long way his aged limbes should tire: And if by lookes one may the mind aread, He seemd to be a sage and sober sire, And euer with slow pace the knight did lead, Who taught his trampling steed with equall steps to tread.