O but (quoth she) great griefe will not be tould, xli And can more easily be thought, then said. Right so; (quoth he) but he, that neuer would, Could neuer: will to might giues greatest aid. But griefe (quoth she) does greater grow displaid, If then it find not helpe, and breedes despaire. Despaire breedes not (quoth he) where faith is staid. No faith so fast (quoth she) but flesh does paire. Flesh may empaire (quoth he) but reason can repaire. His goodly reason, and well guided speach xlii So deepe did settle in her gratious thought, That her perswaded to disclose the breach, Which loue and fortune in her heart had wrought, And said; Faire[257] Sir, I hope good hap hath brought You to inquire[258] the secrets of my griefe, Or that your wisedome will direct my thought, Or that your prowesse can me yield reliefe: Then heare the storie sad, which I shall tell you briefe. The forlorne Maiden, whom your eyes haue seene xliii The laughing stocke of fortunes mockeries, Am th’only daughter of a King and Queene, Whose parents deare, whilest[259] equall destinies Did runne[260] about, and their felicities The fauourable heauens did not enuy, Did spread their rule through all the territories, Which _Phison_ and _Euphrates_ floweth by, And _Gehons_[261] golden waues doe wash continually. Till that their cruell cursed enemy, xliv An huge great Dragon horrible in sight, Bred in the loathly lakes of _Tartary_, With murdrous rauine, and deuouring might Their kingdome spoild, and countrey wasted quight: Themselues, for feare into his iawes to fall, He forst to castle strong to take their flight, Where fast embard in mightie brasen wall, He has them now foure yeres besiegd to make them thrall. Full many knights aduenturous and stout xlv Haue enterprizd that Monster to subdew; From euery coast that heauen walks about, Haue thither come the noble Martiall crew, That famous hard atchieuements still pursew, Yet neuer any could that girlond win, But all still shronke, and still he greater grew: All they for want of faith, or guilt of sin, The pitteous pray of his fierce crueltie haue bin. At last yledd with farre reported praise, xlvi Which flying fame throughout the world had spred, Of doughtie knights, whom Faery land did raise, That noble order hight of Maidenhed, Forthwith to court of _Gloriane_ I sped, Of _Gloriane_ great Queene of glory bright, Whose kingdomes seat _Cleopolis_ is red, There to obtaine some such redoubted knight, That Parents deare from tyrants powre deliuer might.