The Prince was inly moued at her speach, xxxix Well weeting trew, what she had rashly told; Yet with faire semblaunt[747] sought to hide the breach, Which chaunge of colour did perforce vnfold, Now seeming flaming whot, now stony cold. Tho turning soft aside, he did inquire, What wight she was, that Poplar braunch did hold: It answered was, her name was _Prays-desire_, That by well doing sought to honour to aspire. The whiles, the _Faerie_ knight did entertaine xl Another Damsell of that gentle crew, That was right faire, and modest of demaine, But that too oft she chaung’d her natiue hew: Straunge was her tyre, and all her garment blew, Close round about her tuckt with many a plight: Vpon her fist the bird, which shonneth vew, And keepes in couerts close from liuing wight, Did sit, as yet ashamd, how rude _Pan_ did her dight. So long as _Guyon_ with her commoned[748], xli Vnto the ground she cast her modest eye, And euer and anone with rosie red The bashfull bloud her snowy cheekes did dye, That her became, as polisht yuory, Which cunning Craftesmans[749] hand hath ouerlayd With faire vermilion or pure Castory[750]. Great wonder had the knight, to see the mayd So straungely passioned, and to her gently sayd, Faire Damzell, seemeth, by your troubled cheare[751], xlii That either me too bold ye weene, this wise You to molest, or other ill to feare That in the secret of your hart close lyes, From whence it doth, as cloud from sea arise. If it be I, of pardon I you pray; But if ought else that I mote not deuise, I will, if please you it discure, assay, To ease you of that ill, so wisely as I may. She answerd nought, but more abasht for shame, xliii Held downe her head, the whiles her louely face The flashing bloud with blushing did inflame, And the strong passion mard her modest grace, That _Guyon_ meruayld at her vncouth cace: Till _Alma_ him bespake, Why[752] wonder yee Faire Sir at that, which ye so much embrace? She is the fountaine of your modestee; You shamefast[753] are, but _Shamefastnesse_ it selfe is shee. Thereat the Elfe did blush in priuitee, xliv And turnd his face away; but she the same Dissembled faire, and faynd to ouersee. Thus they awhile with court and goodly game, Themselues did solace each one with his Dame, Till that great Ladie thence away them sought, To vew her castles other wondrous frame. Vp to a stately Turret she them brought, Ascending by ten steps of Alablaster wrought.