And now by this the noble Conqueresse xxxvi Her selfe came in, her glory to partake; Where though reuengefull vow she did professe, Yet when she saw the heapes, which he did make, Of slaughtred carkasses, her heart did quake For very ruth, which did it almost riue, That she his fury willed him to slake: For else he sure had left not one aliue, But all in his reuenge of spirite would depriue. Tho when she had his execution stayd, xxxvii She for that yron prison did enquire, In which her wretched loue was captiue layd: Which breaking open with indignant ire, She entred into all the partes entire. Where when she saw that lothly vncouth sight, Of men disguiz’d in womanishe attire, Her heart gan grudge, for very deepe despight Of so vnmanly maske, in misery misdight. At last when as to her owne Loue she came, xxxviii Whom like disguize no lesse deformed had, At sight thereof abasht with secrete shame, She turnd her head aside, as nothing glad, To haue beheld a spectacle so bad[318]: And then too well beleeu’d, that which tofore Iealous suspect as true vntruely drad, Which vaine conceipt now nourishing no more, She sought with ruth to salue his sad misfortunes sore. Not so great wonder and astonishment, xxxix Did the most chast _Penelope_ possesse, To see her Lord, that was reported drent, And dead long since in dolorous distresse, Come home to her in piteous wretchednesse, After long trauell of full twenty yeares, That she knew not his fauours likelynesse, For many scarres and many hoary heares, But stood long staring on him, mongst vncertaine feares. Ah my deare Lord, what sight is this (quoth she) xl What May-game hath misfortune made of you? Where is that dreadfull manly looke? where be Those mighty palmes, the which ye wont t’embrew In bloud of Kings, and great hoastes to subdew? Could ought on earth so wondrous change haue wrought, As to haue robde you of that manly hew? Could so great courage stouped haue to ought? Then farewell fleshly force; I see thy pride is nought. Thenceforth she streight into a bowre him brought, xli And causd him those vncomely weedes vndight; And in their steede for other rayment sought, Whereof there was great store, and armors bright, Which had bene reft from many a noble Knight; Whom that proud Amazon subdewed had, Whilest Fortune fauourd her successe in fight, In which when as she him anew had clad, She was reuiu’d, and ioyd much in his semblance glad.