Most sacred vertue she of all the rest, x Resembling God in his imperiall might; Whose soueraine powre is herein most exprest, That both to good and bad he dealeth right, And all his workes with Iustice hath bedight. That powre he also doth to Princes lend, And makes them like himselfe in glorious sight, To sit in his owne seate, his cause to end, And rule his people right, as he doth recommend. Dread Souerayne Goddesse, that doest highest sit xi In seate of iudgement, in th’Almighties stead[243], And with magnificke might and wondrous wit Doest to thy people righteous doome aread, That furthest Nations filles with awfull dread, Pardon the boldnesse of thy basest thrall, That dare discourse of so diuine a read, As thy great iustice praysed ouer all: The instrument whereof loe here thy _Artegall_[244]. FOOTNOTES: [238] Proem i 3 prime. _1596_ [239] 9 worse and worse _1609_ [240] ii 2 at earst] as earst _1611_ [241] iv 7 from, _1596_, _1609_ [242] v 4 foorth _1609_ [243] xi 2 stead] place _1596_ [244] 9 _Arthegall_ _1609 passim_ _Cant. I._ [Illustration: _Artegall trayn’d in Iustice lore Irenaes quest pursewed, He doeth auenge on Sanglier his Ladies bloud embrewed._ ] Though vertue then were held in highest price, i In those old times, of which I doe intreat, Yet then likewise the wicked seede of vice Began to spring which shortly grew full great, And with their boughes the gentle plants did beat. But euermore some of the vertuous race Rose vp, inspired with heroicke heat, That cropt the branches of the sient base, And with strong hand their fruitfull rancknes did deface. Such first was _Bacchus_, that with furious might ii All th’East before vntam’d did ouerronne, And wrong repressed, and establisht right, Which lawlesse men had formerly fordonne. There Iustice first her princely rule begonne. Next _Hercules_ his like ensample shewed, Who all the West with equall conquest wonne, And monstrous tyrants with his club subdewed; The club of Iustice dread, with kingly powre endewed. And such was he, of whom I haue to tell, iii The Champion of true Iustice _Artegall_, Whom (as ye lately mote remember well) An hard aduenture, which did then befall, Into redoubted perill forth did call; That was to succour a distressed Dame, Whom a strong tyrant did vniustly thrall, And from the heritage, which she did clame, Did with strong hand withhold: _Grantorto_ was his name.