So much the more as she refusd to loue, xxxvii So much the more she loued was and sought, That oftentimes vnquiet strife did moue Amongst her louers, and great quarrels wrought, That oft for her in bloudie armes they fought. Which whenas _Cambell_, that was stout and wise, Perceiu’d would breede great mischiefe, he bethought How to preuent the perill that mote rise, And turne both him and her to honour in this wise. One day, when all that troupe of warlike wooers xxxviii Assembled were, to weet whose she should bee, All mightie men and dreadfull derring dooers, (The harder it to make them well agree) Amongst them all this end he did decree; That of them all, which loue to her did make, They by consent should chose[39] the stoutest three, That with himselfe should combat for her sake, And of them all the victour should his sister take. Bold was the chalenge, as himselfe was bold, xxxix And courage full of haughtie hardiment, Approued oft in perils manifold, Which he atchieu’d to his great ornament: But yet his sisters skill vnto him lent Most confidence and hope of happie speed, Concerned by a ring, which she him sent, That mongst the manie vertues, which we reed, Had power to staunch al wounds, that mortally did bleed. Well was that rings great vertue knowen to all, xl That dread thereof, and his redoubted might Did all that youthly rout so much appall, That none of them durst vndertake the fight; More wise they weend to make of loue delight, Then life to hazard for faire Ladies looke, And yet vncertaine by such outward sight, Though for her sake they all that perill tooke, Whether she would them loue, or in her liking brooke. Amongst those knights there were three brethren bold, xli Three bolder brethren neuer were yborne, Borne of one mother in one happie mold, Borne at one burden in one happie morne, Thrise happie mother, and thrise happie morne, That bore three such, three such not to be fond; Her name was _Agape_ whose children werne All three as one, the first hight _Priamond_, The second _Dyamond_, the youngest _Triamond_. Stout _Priamond_ but not so strong to strike, xlii Strong _Diamond_, but not so stout a knight, But _Triamond_ was stout and strong alike: On horsebacke vsed _Triamond_ to fight, And _Priamond_ on foote had more delight, But horse and foote knew _Diamond_ to wield: With curtaxe vsed _Diamond_ to smite, And _Triamond_ to handle speare and shield, But speare and curtaxe both vsd _Priamond_ in field.