Then downe to ground fell that deformed Masse, xxxii Breathing out clouds of sulphure fowle and blacke, In which a puddle of contagion was, More loathd then _Lerna_, or then _Stygian_ lake, That any man would nigh awhaped make. Whom when he saw on ground, he was full glad, And streight went forth his gladnesse to partake With _Belge_, who watcht all this while full sad, Wayting what end would be of that same daunger drad. Whom when she saw so ioyously come forth, xxxiii She gan reioyce, and shew triumphant chere, Lauding and praysing his renowmed worth, By all the names that honorable were. Then in he brought her, and her shewed there The present of his paines, that Monsters spoyle, And eke that Idoll deem’d so costly dere; Whom he did all to peeces breake and foyle In filthy durt, and left so in the loathely soyle. Then all the people, which beheld that day, xxxiv Gan shout aloud, that vnto heauen it rong; And all the damzels of that towne in ray, Came dauncing forth, and ioyous carrols song: So him they led through all their streetes along, Crowned with girlonds of immortall bales, And all the vulgar did about them throng, To see the man, whose euerlasting praise They all were bound to all posterities to raise. There he with _Belge_[369] did a while remaine, xxxv Making great feast and ioyous merriment, Vntill he had her settled in her raine, With safe assuraunce and establishment. Then to his first emprize his mind he lent, Full loath to _Belge_, and to all the rest: Of whom yet taking leaue, thenceforth he went And to his former iourney him addrest, On which long way he rode, ne euer day did rest. But turne we now to noble _Artegall_, xxxvi Who hauing left _Mercilla_, streight way went On his first quest, the which him forth did call, To weet to worke _Irenaes_ franchisement, And eke _Grantortoes_ worthy punishment. So forth he fared as his manner was, With onely _Talus_ wayting diligent, Through many perils and much way did pas, Till nigh vnto the place at length approcht he has. There as he traueld by the way, he met xxxvii An aged wight, wayfaring all alone, Who through his yeares long since aside had set The vse of armes, and battell quite forgone: To whom as he approcht, he knew anone, That it was he which whilome did attend On faire _Irene_ in her affliction, When first to Faery court he saw her wend, Vnto his soueraine Queene her suite for to commend.