Thus passing th’euening well, till time of rest, xxiii Then _Britomart_ vnto a bowre was brought; Where groomes awayted her to haue vndrest. But she ne would vndressed be for ought, Ne doffe her armes, though he her much besought. For she had vow’d, she sayd, not to forgo Those warlike weedes, till she reuenge had wrought Of a late wrong vppon a mortall foe; Which she would sure performe, betide her wele or wo. Which when their[304] Host perceiu’d, right discontent xxiv In minde he grew, for feare least by that art He should his purpose misse, which close he ment: Yet taking leaue of her, he did depart. There all that night remained _Britomart_, Restlesse, recomfortlesse, with heart deepe grieued, Not suffering the least twinckling sleepe to start Into her eye, which th’heart mote haue relieued, But if the least appear’d, her eyes she streight reprieued. Ye guilty eyes (sayd she) the which with guyle xxv My heart at first betrayd, will ye betray My life now to, for which a little whyle Ye will not watch? false watches, wellaway, I wote when ye did watch both night and day Vnto your losse: and now needes will ye sleepe? Now ye haue made my heart to wake alway, Now will ye sleepe? ah wake, and rather weepe, To thinke of your nights[305] want, that should yee waking keepe. Thus did she watch, and weare the weary night xxvi In waylfull plaints, that none was to appease; Now walking soft, now sitting still vpright, As sundry chaunge her seemed best to ease. Ne lesse did _Talus_ suffer sleepe to seaze His eye-lids sad, but watcht continually, Lying without her dore in great disease; Like to a Spaniell wayting carefully Least any should betray his Lady treacherously. What time the natiue Belman of the night, xxvii The bird, that warned _Peter_ of his fall, First rings his siluer Bell t’each sleepy wight, That should their mindes vp to deuotion call, She heard a wondrous noise below the hall. All sodainely the bed, where she should lie, By a false trap was let adowne to fall Into a lower roome, and by and by The loft was raysd againe, that no man could it spie. With sight whereof she was dismayd right sore, xxviii Perceiuing well the treason, which was ment: Yet stirred not at all for doubt of more, But kept her place with courage confident, Wayting what would ensue of that euent. It was not long, before she heard the sound Of armed men, comming with close intent Towards her chamber; at which dreadfull stound She quickly caught her sword, and shield about her bound.