And ere he could recouer foot againe, xxxix He following that faire aduantage fast, His stroke redoubled with such might and maine, That him vpon the ground he groueling cast; And leaping to him light, would haue vnlast His Helme, to make vnto his vengeance way. Who seeing, in what daunger he was plast, Cryde out, Ah mercie Sir, doe me not slay, But saue my life, which lot before your foot doth lay. With that his mortall hand a while he stayd, xl And hauing somewhat calm’d his wrathfull heat With goodly patience, thus he to him sayd; And is the boast of that proud Ladies threat, That menaced me from the field to beat, Now brought to this? By this now may ye learne, Strangers no more so rudely to intreat, But put away proud looke, and vsage sterne, The which shal nought to you but foule dishonor yearne[413]. For nothing is more blamefull to a knight, xli That court’sie doth as well as armes professe, How euer strong and fortunate in fight, Then the reproch of pride and cruelnesse. In vaine he seeketh others to suppresse, Who hath not learnd him selfe first to subdew: All flesh is frayle, and full of ficklenesse, Subiect to fortunes chance, still chaunging new; What haps to day to me, to morrow may to you. Who will not mercie vnto others shew, xlii How can he mercy euer hope to haue? To pay each with his owne is right and dew. Yet since[414] ye mercie now doe need to craue, I will it graunt, your hopelesse life to saue; With these conditions, which I will propound: First, that ye better shall your selfe behaue Vnto all errant knights, whereso on ground; Next that ye Ladies ayde in euery stead and stound. The wretched man, that all this while did dwell xliii In dread of death, his heasts did gladly heare, And promist to performe his precept well, And whatsoeuer else he would requere. So suffring him to rise, he made him sweare By his owne sword, and by the crosse thereon, To take _Briana_ for his louing fere, Withouten dowre or composition; But to release his former foule condition. All which accepting, and with faithfull oth xliv Bynding himselfe most firmely to obay, He vp arose, how euer liefe or loth, And swore to him true fealtie for aye. Then forth he cald from sorrowfull dismay The sad _Briana_, which all this beheld: Who comming forth yet full of late affray, Sir _Calidore_ vpcheard, and to her teld All this accord, to which he _Crudor_ had compeld.