The cry whereof entring the hollow caue, x Eftsoones brought forth the villaine, as they ment, With hope of her some wishfull boot to haue. Full dreadfull wight he was, as euer went Vpon the earth, with hollow eyes deepe pent, And long curld locks, that downe his shoulders shagged, And on his backe an vncouth vestiment Made of straunge[333] stuffe, but all to worne and ragged, And vnderneath his breech was all to torne and iagged. And in his hand an huge long staffe he held, xi Whose top was arm’d with many an yron hooke, Fit to catch hold of all that he could weld, Or in the compasse of his clouches tooke; And euer round about he cast his looke. Als at his backe a great wyde net he bore, With which he seldome fished at the brooke, But vsd to fish for fooles on the dry shore, Of which he in faire weather wont to take great store. Him when the damzell saw fast by her side, xii So vgly creature, she was nigh dismayd, And now for helpe aloud in earnest cride. But when the villaine saw her so affrayd, He gan with guilefull words her to perswade, To banish feare, and with _Sardonian_ smyle Laughing on her, his false intent to shade, Gan forth to lay his bayte her to beguyle, That from her self vnwares he might her steale the whyle. Like as the fouler on his guilefull pype xiii Charmes to the birds full many a pleasant lay, That they the whiles may take lesse heedie keepe, How he his nets doth for their ruine lay: So did the villaine to her prate and play, And many pleasant trickes before her show, To turne her eyes from his intent away: For he in slights and iugling feates did flow, And of legierdemayne the mysteries did know. To which whilest she lent her intentiue mind, xiv He suddenly his net vpon her threw, That ouersprad her like a puffe of wind; And snatching her soone vp, ere well she knew, Ran with her fast away vnto his mew, Crying for helpe aloud. But when as ny He came vnto his caue, and there did vew The armed knights stopping his passage by, He threw his burden downe, and fast away did fly. But _Artegall_ him after did pursew, xv The whiles the Prince there kept the entrance still: Vp to the rocke he ran, and thereon flew Like a wyld Gote, leaping from hill to hill, And dauncing on the craggy cliffes at will; That deadly daunger seem’d in all mens sight, To tempt such steps, where footing was so ill: Ne ought auayled for the armed knight, To thinke to follow him, that was so swift and light.