All ouer her a cloth of state was spred, xxviii Not of rich tissew, nor of cloth of gold, Nor of ought else, that may be richest red, But like a cloud, as likest may be told, That her brode spreading wings did wyde vnfold; Whose skirts were bordred with bright sunny beams, Glistring like gold, amongst the plights enrold, And here and there shooting forth siluer streames, Mongst which crept litle Angels through the glittering gleames. Seemed those litle Angels did vphold xxix The cloth of state, and on their purpled wings Did beare the pendants, through their nimblesse bold: Besides a thousand more of such, as sings Hymnes to high God, and carols heauenly things, Encompassed the throne, on which she sate: She Angel-like, the heyre of ancient kings And mightie Conquerors, in royall state, Whylest kings and kesars at her feet did them prostrate. Thus she did sit in souerayne Maiestie, xxx Holding a Scepter in her royall hand, The sacred pledge of peace and clemencie, With which high God had blest her happie land, Maugre so many foes, which did withstand. But at her feet her sword was likewise layde, Whose long rest rusted the bright steely brand; Yet when as foes enforst, or friends sought ayde, She could it sternely draw, that all the world dismayde. And round about, before her feet there sate xxxi A beuie of faire Virgins clad in white, That goodly seem’d t’adorne her royall state, All louely daughters of high _Ioue_, that hight[338] _Litæ_,[339] by him begot in loues delight, Vpon the righteous _Themis_: those they say Vpon _Ioues_ iudgement seat wayt day and night, And when in wrath he threats the worlds decay, They doe his anger calme, and cruell vengeance stay. They also doe by his diuine permission xxxii Vpon the thrones of mortall Princes tend, And often treat for pardon and remission To suppliants, through frayltie which offend. Those did vpon _Mercillaes_ throne attend: Iust _Dice_, wise _Eunomie_, myld _Eirene_, And them amongst, her glorie to commend, Sate goodly _Temperance_ in garments clene, And sacred _Reuerence_, yborne of heauenly strene. Thus did she sit in royall rich estate, xxxiii Admyr’d of many, honoured of all, Whylest vnderneath her feete, there as she sate, An huge great Lyon lay, that mote appall An hardie courage, like captiued thrall, With a strong yron chaine and coller bound, That once he could not moue, nor quich at all; Yet did he murmure with rebellious[340] sound, And softly royne, when saluage choler gan redound.