Who when the shamed shield of slaine _Sans foy_ xxxix He spide with that same Faery champions page, Bewraying him, that did of late destroy His eldest brother, burning all with rage He to him leapt, and that same enuious gage Of victors glory from him snatcht away: But th’Elfin knight, which ought that warlike wage, Disdaind to loose[158] the meed he wonne in fray, And him rencountring[159] fierce, reskewd the noble pray. Therewith they gan to hurtlen[160] greedily, xl Redoubted battaile ready to darrayne, And clash their shields, and shake their swords[161] on hy, That with their sturre they troubled all the traine; Till that great Queene vpon eternall paine Of high displeasure, that ensewen might, Commaunded them their fury to refraine, And if that either to that shield had right, In equall lists they should the morrow next it fight. Ah dearest Dame, (quoth then the Paynim bold,) xli Pardon the errour[162] of enraged wight, Whom great griefe made forget the raines to hold Of reasons rule, to see this recreant[163] knight, No knight, but treachour full of false despight And shamefull treason, who through guile hath slayn The prowest knight, that euer field did fight, Euen stout _Sans foy_ (O who can then refrayn?) Whose shield he beares renuerst[164], the more to heape disdayn. And to augment the glorie of his guile, xlii His dearest loue the faire _Fidessa_ loe Is there possessed of the traytour vile, Who reapes the haruest sowen by his foe, Sowen in bloudy field, and bought with woe: That brothers hand shall dearely well requight So be, O Queene, you equall fauour showe. Him litle answerd th’angry Elfin knight; He neuer meant with words, but swords to plead his right. But threw his gauntlet as a sacred pledge[165], xliii His cause in combat the next day to try: So been they parted both, with harts on edge[166], To be aueng’d each on his enimy. That night they pas in ioy and iollity, Feasting and courting both in bowre and hall; For Steward was excessiue _Gluttonie_, That of his plenty poured forth to all; Which doen, the Chamberlain _Slowth_ did to rest them call. Now whenas darkesome night had all displayd xliv Her coleblacke curtein ouer brightest skye, The warlike youthes on dayntie couches layd, Did chace away sweet sleepe from sluggish eye, To muse on meanes of hoped victory. But whenas _Morpheus_ had with leaden mace Arrested all that courtly company, Vp-rose _Duessa_ from her resting place, And to the Paynims lodging comes with silent pace.