By that, which lately hapned, _Vna_ saw, ii That this her knight was feeble, and too faint; And all his sinews woxen weake and raw, Through long enprisonment[325], and hard constraint, Which he endured in his late restraint, That yet he was vnfit for bloudie fight: Therefore to cherish him with diets daint, She cast to bring him, where he chearen might, Till he recouered had his late decayed plight. There was an auntient house not farre away, iii Renowmd throughout the world for sacred lore, And pure vnspotted life: so well they say It gouernd was, and guided euermore, Through wisedome of a matrone graue and hore; Whose onely ioy was to relieue the needes Of wretched soules, and helpe the helpelesse pore: All night she spent in bidding of her bedes, And all the day in doing good and godly deedes. Dame _Cœlia_ men did her call, as thought iv From heauen to come, or thither to arise, The mother of three daughters, well vpbrought In goodly thewes, and godly exercise: The eldest two most sober, chast, and wise, _Fidelia_ and _Speranza_ virgins were, Though spousd, yet wanting wedlocks solemnize; But faire _Charissa_ to a louely fere Was lincked, and by him had many pledges dere. Arriued there, the dore they find fast lockt; v For it was warely watched night and day, For feare of many foes: but when they knockt, The Porter opened vnto them streight way: He was an aged syre, all hory gray, With lookes full lowly cast, and gate full slow, Wont on a staffe his feeble steps to stay, Hight _Humiltá_. They passe in stouping low; For streight and narrow was the way, which he did show. Each goodly thing is hardest to begin, vi But entred in a spacious court they see, Both plaine, and pleasant to be walked in, Where them does meete a francklin faire and free, And entertaines with comely courteous glee, His name was _Zele_, that him right well became, For in his speeches and behauiour hee Did labour liuely to expresse the same, And gladly did them guide, till to the Hall they came. There fairely them receiues a gentle Squire, vii Of milde demeanure, and rare courtesie, Right cleanly clad in comely sad attire; In word and deede that shew’d great modestie, And knew his good to all of each degree, Hight _Reuerence_. He them with speeches meet Does faire entreat; no courting nicetie, But simple true[326], and eke vnfained sweet, As might become a Squire so great persons to greet.