In braue pursuit of honorable deed, i There is I know not what[554] great difference Betweene the vulgar and the noble seed, Which vnto things of valorous pretence Seemes to be borne by natiue influence; As feates of armes, and loue to entertaine, But chiefly skill to ride, seemes a science Proper to gentle bloud; some others faine To menage steeds, as did this vaunter; but in vaine. But he the rightfull owner of that steed, ii Who well could menage and subdew his pride, The whiles on foot was forced for to yeed, With that blacke Palmer, his most trusty guide; Who suffred not his wandring feet to slide. But when strong passion, or weake fleshlinesse Would from the right way seeke to draw him wide, He would through temperance and stedfastnesse, Teach him the weake to strengthen, and the strong suppresse. It fortuned forth faring on his way, iii He saw from farre, or seemed for to see Some troublous vprore or contentious fray, Whereto he drew in haste it to agree. A mad man, or that feigned mad to bee, Drew by the haire along vpon the ground, A handsome stripling with great crueltee, Whom sore he bett, and gor’d with many a wound, That cheekes with teares, and sides with bloud did all abound. And him behind, a wicked Hag did stalke, iv In ragged robes, and filthy disaray, Her other leg was lame, that she no’te walke,[555] But on a staffe her feeble steps did stay; Her lockes, that loathly were and hoarie gray, Grew all afore, and loosely hong vnrold, But all behind was bald, and worne away, That none thereof could euer taken hold, And eke her face ill fauourd, full of wrinckles old. And euer as she went, her tongue did walke v In foule reproch, and termes of vile despight, Prouoking him by her outrageous talke, To heape more vengeance on that wretched wight; Sometimes she raught him stones, wherwith to smite, Sometimes her staffe, though it her one leg were, Withouten which she could not go vpright; Ne any euill meanes she did forbeare, That might him moue to wrath, and indignation reare. The noble _Guyon_ mou’d with great remorse, vi Approching, first the Hag did thrust away, And after adding more impetuous forse, His mightie hands did on the madman lay, And pluckt him backe; who all on fire streight way, Against him turning all his fell intent, With beastly brutish rage gan him assay, And smot, and bit, and kickt, and scratcht, and rent, And did he wist not what in his auengement.