Which whenas none she fond, with easie shift, lxi For feare least her vnwares she should abrayd, Th’embroderd quilt she lightly vp did lift, And by her side her selfe she softly layd, Of euery finest fingers touch affrayd; Ne any noise she made, ne word she spake, But inly sigh’d. At last the royall Mayd Out of her quiet slomber did awake, And chaungd her weary side, the better ease to take. Where feeling one close couched by her side, lxii She lightly lept out of her filed bed, And to her weapon ran, in minde to gride The loathed leachour. But the Dame halfe ded Through suddein feare and ghastly drerihed, Did shrieke alowd, that through the house it rong, And the whole family therewith adred, Rashly out of their rouzed couches sprong, And to the troubled chamber all in armes did throng. And those six Knights that Ladies Champions, lxiii And eke the _Redcrosse_ knight ran to the stownd, Halfe armd and halfe vnarmd, with them attons: Where when confusedly they came, they fownd Their Lady lying on the sencelesse grownd; On th’other side, they saw the warlike Mayd All in her snow-white smocke, with locks vnbownd, Threatning the point of her auenging blade, That with so troublous terrour they were all dismayde. About their Lady first they flockt arownd, lxiv Whom hauing laid in comfortable couch, Shortly they reard out of her frosen swownd; And afterwards they gan with fowle reproch To stirre vp strife, and troublous contecke broch: But by ensample of the last dayes losse, None of them rashly durst to her approch, Ne in so glorious spoile themselues embosse; Her succourd eke the Champion of the bloudy Crosse. But one of those sixe knights, _Gardante_ hight, lxv Drew out a deadly bow and arrow keene, Which forth he sent with felonous despight, And fell intent against the virgin sheene: The mortall steele stayd not, till it was seene To gore her side, yet was the wound not deepe, But lightly rased her soft silken skin, That drops of purple bloud thereout did weepe, Which did her lilly smock with staines of vermeil steepe. Wherewith enrag’d she fiercely at them flew, lxvi And with her flaming sword about her layd, That none of them foule mischiefe could eschew, But with her dreadfull strokes were all dismayd: Here, there, and euery where about her swayd Her wrathfull steele, that none mote it abide; And eke the _Redcrosse_ knight gaue her good aid, Ay ioyning foot to foot, and side to side, That in short space their foes they haue quite terrifide.