All which when she vnto the end had heard, xxiv She much was eased in her troublous thought, And on those Priests bestowed rich reward: And royall gifts of gold and siluer wrought, She for a present to their Goddesse brought. Then taking leaue of them, she forward went, To seeke her loue, where he was to be sought; Ne rested till she came without relent Vnto the land of Amazons, as she was bent. Whereof when newes to _Radigund_ was brought, xxv Not with amaze, as women wonted bee, She was confused in her troublous thought, But fild with courage and with ioyous glee, As glad to heare of armes, the which now she Had long surceast, she bad to open bold, That she the face of her new foe might see. But when they of that yron man had told, Which late her folke had slaine, she bad them forth to hold.[315] So there without the gate (as seemed best) xxvi She caused her Pauilion be pight; In which stout _Britomart_ her selfe did rest, Whiles _Talus_ watched at the dore all night. All night likewise, they of the towne in fright, Vppon their wall good watch and ward did keepe. The morrow next, so soone as dawning light Bad doe away the dampe of drouzie sleepe, The warlike Amazon out of her bowre did peepe. And caused streight a Trumpet loud to shrill, xxvii To warne her foe to battell soone be prest: Who long before awoke (for she ful ill Could sleepe all night, that in vnquiet brest Did closely harbour such a iealous guest) Was to the battell whilome ready dight. Eftsoones that warriouresse with haughty crest Did forth issue, all ready for the fight: On th’other side her foe appeared soone in sight. But ere they reared hand, the Amazone xxviii Began the streight conditions to propound, With which she vsed still to tye her fone; To serue her so, as she the rest had bound. Which when the other heard, she sternly frownd For high disdaine of such indignity, And would no lenger treat, but bad them sound. For her no other termes should euer tie[316] Then what prescribed were by lawes of cheualrie. The Trumpets sound, and they together run xxix With greedy rage, and with their faulchins smot; Ne either sought the others strokes to shun, But through great fury both their skill forgot, And practicke vse in armes: ne spared not Their dainty parts, which nature had created So faire and tender, without staine or spot, For other vses, then they them translated; Which they now hackt and hewd, as if such vse they hated,