And that which is for Ladies most besitting, xix To stint all strife, and foster friendly peace, Was from those Dames so farre and so vnfitting, As that in stead of praying them surcease, They did much more their cruelty encrease; Bidding them fight for honour of their loue, And rather die then Ladies cause release. With which vaine termes so much they did them moue, That both resolu’d the last extremities to proue. There they I weene would fight vntill this day, xx Had not a Squire, euen he the Squire of Dames, By great aduenture trauelled that way; Who seeing both bent to so bloudy games, And both of old well knowing by their names, Drew nigh, to weete the cause of their debate: And first laide on those Ladies thousand blames, That did not seeke t’appease their deadly hate, But gazed on their harmes, not pittying their estate. And then those Knights he humbly did beseech, xxi To stay their hands, till he a while had spoken: Who lookt a little vp at that his speech, Yet would not let their battell so be broken, Both greedie fiers on other to be wroken. Yet he to them so earnestly did call, And them coniur’d by some well knowen[29] token, That they at last their wrothfull hands let fall, Content to heare him speake, and glad to rest withall. First he desir’d their cause of strife to see: xxii They said, it was for loue of _Florimell_.[30] Ah gentle knights (quoth he) how may that bee, And she so farre astray, as none can tell.[31] Fond Squire, full angry then sayd _Paridell_, Seest not the Ladie there before thy face? He looked backe, and her aduizing[32] well, Weend as he said, by that her outward grace, That fayrest _Florimell_ was present there in place. Glad man was he to see that ioyous sight, xxiii For none aliue but ioy’d in _Florimell_, And lowly to her lowting thus behight; Fayrest of faire, that fairenesse doest excell, This happie day I haue to greete you well, In which you safe I see, whom thousand late[33] Misdoubted lost through mischiefe that befell; Long may you liue in health and happie state.[34] She litle answer’d him, but lightly did aggrate. Then turning to those Knights, he gan a new; xxiv And you Sir _Blandamour_ and _Paridell_, That for this Ladie present in your vew, Haue rays’d this cruell warre and outrage fell, Certes me seemes bene not aduised well, But rather ought in friendship for her sake To ioyne your force, their forces to repell, That seeke perforce her from you both to take, And of your gotten spoyle their owne triumph to make.