Therewith all suddeinly he seemd enraged, xiv And threatned death with dreadfull countenaunce, As if their liues had in his hand beene gaged; And with stiffe force shaking his mortall launce, To let him weet his doughtie valiaunce, Thus said; Old man, great sure shalbe thy meed, If where those knights for feare of dew vengeaunce Do lurke, thou certainly to me areed, That I may wreake on them their hainous hatefull deed. Certes, my Lord, (said he) that shall I soone, xv And giue you eke good helpe to their decay, But mote I wisely you aduise to doon; Giue no ods to your foes, but do puruay Your selfe of sword before that bloudy day: For they be two the prowest knights on ground, And oft approu’d in many hard assay, And eke of surest steele, that may be found, Do arme your selfe against that day, them to confound. Dotard (said he) let be thy deepe aduise; xvi Seemes that through many yeares thy wits thee faile, And that weake eld hath left thee nothing wise, Else neuer should thy iudgement be so fraile, To measure manhood by the sword or maile. Is not enough foure quarters of a man, Withouten sword or shield, an host to quaile? Thou little wotest, what this right hand can: Speake they, which haue beheld the battailes, which it wan. The man was much abashed at his boast; xvii Yet well he wist, that who so would contend With either of those knights on euen coast, Should need of all his armes, him to defend; Yet feared least his boldnesse should offend, When _Braggadocchio_ said, Once I did sweare, When with one sword seuen knights I brought to end, Thence forth in battell neuer sword to beare, But it were that, which noblest knight on earth doth weare. Perdie Sir knight, said then th’enchaunter bliue, xviii That shall I shortly purchase to your hond: For now the best and noblest knight aliue Prince _Arthur_ is, that wonnes in Faerie lond; He hath a sword, that flames like burning brond. The same by my deuice[533] I vndertake Shall by to morrow by thy side be fond. At which bold word that boaster gan to quake, And wondred in his mind, what mote that monster make. He stayd not for more bidding, but away xix Was suddein vanished out of his sight: The Northerne wind his wings did broad display At his commaund, and reared him vp light From off the earth to take his aerie flight. They lookt about, but no where could espie Tract of his foot: then dead through great affright They both nigh were, and each bad other flie: Both fled attonce, ne euer backe returned eie.