Bound vnto me, but not with such hard bands xxxiii Of strong compulsion, and streight violence, As now in miserable state he stands; But with sweet loue and sure beneuolence, Voide of malitious mind, or foule offence. To which if thou canst win him any way, Without discouerie of my thoughts pretence, Both goodly meede of him it purchase may, And eke with gratefull seruice me right well apay. Which that thou mayst the better bring to pas, xxxiv Loe here this ring, which shall thy warrant bee, And token true to old _Eumenias_, From time to time, when thou it best shalt see, That in and out thou mayst haue passage free. Goe now, _Clarinda_, well thy wits aduise, And all thy forces gather vnto thee; Armies of louely lookes, and speeches wise, With which thou canst euen _Ioue_ himselfe to loue entise. The trustie Mayd, conceiuing her intent, xxxv Did with sure promise of her good indeuour, Giue her great comfort, and some harts content. So from her parting, she thenceforth did labour By all the meanes she might, to curry fauour With th’Elfin Knight, her Ladies best beloued; With daily shew of courteous kind behauiour, Euen at the markewhite of his hart she roued, And with wide glauncing words, one day she thus him proued. Vnhappie Knight, vpon whose hopelesse state xxxvi Fortune enuying good, hath felly frowned, And cruell heauens haue heapt an heauy fate; I rew that thus thy better dayes are drowned In sad despaire, and all thy senses swowned In stupid sorow, sith thy iuster merit Might else haue with felicitie bene crowned: Looke vp at last, and wake thy dulled spirit, To thinke how this long death thou mightest disinherit. Much did he maruell at her vncouth speach, xxxvii Whose hidden drift he could not well perceiue; And gan to doubt, least she him sought t’appeach Of treason, or some guilefull traine did weaue, Through which she might his wretched life bereaue. Both which to barre, he with this answere met her; Faire Damzell, that with ruth (as I perceaue) Of my mishaps, art mou’d to wish me better, For such your kind regard, I can but rest your detter. Yet weet ye well, that to a courage great xxxviii It is no lesse beseeming well, to beare The storme of fortunes frowne, or heauens threat, Then in the sunshine of her countenance cleare Timely to ioy, and carrie comely cheare. For though this cloud haue now me ouercast, Yet doe I not of better times despeyre; And, though (vnlike)[293] they should for euer last, Yet in my truthes assurance I rest fixed fast.