When he his sentence thus pronounced had, xx Both _Amidas_ and _Philtra_ were displeased: But _Bracidas_ and _Lucy_ were right glad, And on the threasure by that iudgement seased. So was their discord by this doome appeased, And each one had his right. Then _Artegall_ When as their sharpe contention he had ceased, Departed on his way, as did befall, To follow his old quest, the which him forth did call. So as he trauelled vppon the way, xxi He chaunst to come, where happily he spide A rout of many people farre away; To whom his course he hastily applide, To weete the cause of their assemblaunce wide. To whom when he approched neare in sight, (An vncouth sight) he plainely then descride To be a troupe of women warlike dight, With weapons in their hands, as ready for to fight. And in the midst of them he saw a Knight, xxii With both his hands behinde him pinnoed hard, And round about his necke an halter tight, As ready for the gallow tree prepard: His face was couered, and his head was bar’d, That who he was, vneath was to descry; And with full heauy heart with them he far’d, Grieu’d to the soule, and groning inwardly, That he of womens hands so base a death should dy. But they like tyrants, mercilesse the more, xxiii Reioyced at his miserable case, And him reuiled, and reproched sore With bitter taunts, and termes of vile disgrace. Now when as _Artegall_ arriu’d in place, Did aske, what cause brought that man to decay, They round about him gan to swarme apace, Meaning on him their cruell hands to lay, And to haue wrought vnwares some villanous assay. But he was soone aware of their ill minde, xxiv And drawing backe deceiued their intent; Yet though him selfe did shame on womankinde His mighty hand to shend, he _Talus_ sent To wrecke on them their follies hardyment: Who with few sowces of his yron flale, Dispersed all their troupe incontinent, And sent them home to tell a piteous tale, Of their vaine prowesse, turned to their proper bale. But that same wretched man, ordaynd to die, xxv They left behind them, glad to be so quit: Him _Talus_ tooke out of perplexitie, And horrour of fowle death for Knight vnfit, Who more then losse of life ydreaded it; And him restoring vnto liuing light, So brought vnto his Lord, where he did sit, Beholding all that womanish weake fight; Whom soone as he beheld, he knew, and thus behight.