Faire Sir (said he) if in that picture dead iii Such life ye read, and vertue in vaine shew, What mote ye weene, if the trew liuely-head Of that most glorious visage ye did vew? But if the beautie of her mind ye knew, That is her bountie, and imperiall powre, Thousand times fairer then her mortall hew, O how great wonder would your thoughts deuoure, And infinite desire into your spirite poure! She is the mighty Queene of _Faerie_, iv Whose faire retrait I in my shield do beare; She is the flowre of grace and chastitie, Throughout the world renowmed far and neare, My liefe, my liege, my Soueraigne, my deare, Whose glory shineth as the morning starre, And with her light the earth enlumines cleare; Far reach her mercies, and her prayses farre, As well in state of peace, as puissaunce in warre. Thrise happy man, (said then the _Briton_ knight) v Whom gracious lot, and thy great valiaunce Haue made thee[723] souldier of that Princesse bright, Which with her bounty and glad countenance Doth blesse her seruaunts, and them high aduaunce. How may straunge knight hope euer to aspire, By faithfull seruice, and meet amenance, Vnto such blisse? sufficient were that hire For losse of thousand liues, to dye at her desire. Said _Guyon_, Noble Lord, what meed so great, vi Or grace of earthly Prince so soueraine, But by your wondrous worth and warlike feat Ye well may hope, and easely attaine? But were your will, her sold to entertaine, And numbred be mongst knights of _Maydenhed_, Great guerdon, well I wote, should you remaine, And in her fauour high be reckoned, As _Arthegall_,[724] and _Sophy_ now beene honored. Certes (then said the Prince) I God auow, vii That sith I armes and knighthood first did plight, My whole desire hath beene, and yet is now, To serue that Queene with all my powre and might. Now hath[725] the Sunne with his lamp-burning light, Walkt round[726] about the world, and I no lesse, Sith[727] of that Goddesse I haue sought the sight, Yet no where can her find: such happinesse Heauen doth to me enuy, and fortune fauourlesse. Fortune, the foe of famous cheuisaunce viii Seldome (said _Guyon_) yields to vertue aide, But in her way throwes mischiefe and mischaunce, Whereby her course is stopt, and passage staid. But you,[728] faire Sir, be not herewith dismaid, But constant keepe the way, in which ye stand; Which were it not, that I am else delaid With hard aduenture, which I haue in hand, I labour would to guide you through all Faery land.