Which when he saw, his yron man he sent, xvi To follow him; for he was swift in chace. He him pursewd, where euer that he went, Both ouer rockes, and hilles, and euery place, Where so he fled, he followd him apace: So that he shortly forst him to forsake The hight, and downe descend vnto the base. There he him courst a fresh, and soone did make To leaue his proper forme, and other shape to take. Into a Foxe himselfe he first did tourne; xvii But he him hunted like a Foxe full fast: Then to a bush himselfe he did transforme, But he the bush did beat, till that at last Into a bird it chaung’d, and from him past, Flying from tree to tree, from wand to wand: But he then stones at it so long did cast, That like a stone it fell vpon the land, But he then tooke it vp, and held fast in his hand. So he it brought with him vnto the knights, xviii And to his Lord Sir _Artegall_ it lent, Warning him hold it fast, for feare of slights. Who whilest in hand it gryping hard[334] he hent, Into a Hedgehogge all vnwares it went, And prickt him so, that he away it threw. Then gan it runne away incontinent, Being returned to his former hew: But _Talus_ soone him ouertooke, and backward drew. But when as he would to a snake againe xix Haue turn’d himselfe, he with his yron flayle Gan driue at him, with so huge might and maine, That all his bones, as small as sandy grayle He broke, and did his bowels disentrayle; Crying in vaine for helpe, when helpe was past. So did deceipt the selfe deceiuer fayle, There they him left a carrion outcast; For beasts and foules to feede vpon for their repast. Thence forth they passed with that gentle Mayd, xx To see her Ladie, as they did agree. To which when she approched, thus she sayd; Loe now, right noble knights, arriu’d ye bee Nigh to the place, which ye desir’d to see: There shall ye see my souerayne Lady Queene Most sacred wight, most debonayre and free, That euer yet vpon this earth was seene, Or that with Diademe hath euer crowned beene. The gentle knights reioyced much to heare xxi The prayses of that Prince so manifold, And passing litle further, commen were, Where they a stately pallace did behold, Of pompous show, much more then she had told; With many towres, and tarras mounted hye, And all their tops bright glistering with gold, That seemed to outshine the dimmed skye, And with their brightnesse daz’d the straunge beholders eye.