So did he mitigate Sir _Artegall_, xxxvii But _Talus_ by the backe the boaster hent, And drawing him out of the open hall, Vpon him did inflict this punishment. First he his beard did shaue, and fowly shent: Then from him reft his shield, and it renuerst, And blotted out his armes with falshood blent, And himselfe baffuld, and his armes vnherst, And broke his sword in twaine, and all his armour sperst. The whiles his guilefull groome was fled away: xxxviii But vaine it was to thinke from him to flie. Who ouertaking him did disaray, And all his face deform’d with infamie, And out of court him scourged openly. So ought all faytours, that true knighthood shame, And armes dishonour with base villanie, From all braue knights be banisht with defame: For oft their lewdnes blotteth good deserts with blame. Now when these counterfeits were thus vncased xxxix Out of the foreside of their forgerie, And in the sight of all men cleane disgraced, All gan to iest and gibe full merilie At the remembrance of their knauerie. Ladies can laugh at Ladies, Knights at Knights, To thinke with how great vaunt of brauerie He them abused, through his subtill slights, And what a glorious shew he made in all their sights. There leaue we them in pleasure and repast, xl Spending their ioyous dayes and gladfull nights, And taking vsurie of time forepast, With all deare delices and rare delights, Fit for such Ladies and such louely knights: And turne we[274] here to this faire furrowes end Our wearie yokes, to gather fresher sprights, That when as time to _Artegall_ shall tend, We on his first aduenture may him forward send. FOOTNOTES: [270] xi 7 Th’other _1596_, _1609_ [271] 9 th’other _1596_, _1609_ [272] xix 1 th’azure _1609_ [273] xxxvi 8 hee _1596_ _Cant. IIII._ [Illustration: _Artegall dealeth right betwixt two brethren that doe striue, Saues Terpine from the gallow tree, and doth from death repriue._ ] Who so vpon him selfe will take the skill i True Iustice vnto people to diuide, Had neede haue mightie hands, for to fulfill That, which he doth with righteous doome decide, And for to maister wrong and puissant pride. For vaine it is to deeme of things aright, And makes wrong doers iustice to deride, Vnlesse it be perform’d with dreadlesse might. For powre is the right hand of Iustice truely hight.