So sitting high in dreaded souerayntie, xxxiv Those two strange knights were to her presence brought; Who bowing low before her Maiestie, Did to her myld obeysance, as they ought, And meekest boone, that they imagine mought. To whom she eke inclyning her withall, As a faire stoupe of her high soaring thought, A chearefull countenance on them let fall, Yet tempred with some maiestie imperiall. As the bright sunne, what time his fierie teme xxxv Towards the westerne brim begins to draw, Gins to abate the brightnesse of his beme, And feruour of his flames somewhat adaw: So did this mightie Ladie, when she saw Those two strange knights such homage to her make, Bate somewhat of that Maiestie and awe, That whylome wont to doe so many quake, And with more myld aspect those two to entertake. Now at that instant, as occasion fell, xxxvi When these two stranger knights arriv’d in place, She was about affaires of common wele, Dealing of Iustice with indifferent grace, And hearing pleas of people meane and base. Mongst which as then, there was for to be heard The tryall of a great and weightie case, Which on both sides was then debating hard: But at the sight of these, those were a while debard. But after all her princely entertayne, xxxvii To th’hearing of that former cause in hand, Her selfe eftsoones she gan conuert againe; Which that those knights likewise mote vnderstand, And witnesse forth aright in forrain land, Taking them vp vnto her stately throne, Where they mote heare the matter throughly scand On either part, she placed th’one on th’one, The other on the other side, and neare them none. Then was there brought, as prisoner to the barre, xxxviii A Ladie of great countenance and place, But that she it with foule abuse did marre; Yet did appeare rare beautie in her face, But blotted with condition vile and base, That all her other honour did obscure, And titles of nobilitie deface: Yet in that wretched semblant, she did sure The peoples great compassion vnto her allure. Then vp arose a person of deepe reach, xxxix And rare in-sight, hard matters to reuele; That well could charme his tongue, and time his speach To all assayes; his name was called _Zele_: He gan that Ladie strongly to appele Of many haynous crymes, by her enured, And with sharpe reasons rang her such a pele, That those, whom she to pitie had allured, He now t’abhorre and loath her person had procured.