Like a wylde Bull, that being at a bay, xix Is bayted of a mastiffe, and a hound, And a curre-dog; that doe him sharpe assay On euery side, and beat about him round; But most that curre barking with bitter sownd, And creeping still behinde, doth him incomber, That in his chauffe he digs the trampled ground, And threats his horns, and bellowes like the thonder, So did that Squire his foes disperse, and driue asonder. Him well behoued so; for his three foes xx Sought to encompasse him on euery side, And dangerously did round about enclose. But most of all _Defetto_ him annoyde, Creeping behinde him still to haue destroyde: So did _Decetto_ eke him circumuent, But stout _Despetto_ in his greater pryde, Did front him face to face against him bent, Yet he them all withstood, and often made relent. Till that at length nigh tyrd with former chace, xxi And weary now with carefull keeping ward, He gan to shrinke, and somewhat to giue place, Full like ere long to haue escaped hard; When as vnwares he in the forrest heard A trampling steede, that with his neighing fast Did warne his rider be vppon his gard; With noise whereof the Squire now nigh aghast, Reuiued was, and sad dispaire away did cast. Eftsoones he spide a Knight approching nye, xxii Who seeing one in so great daunger set Mongst many foes, him selfe did faster hye; To reskue him, and his weake part abet, For pitty so to see him ouerset. Whom soone as his three enemies did vew, They fled, and fast into the wood did get: Him booted not to thinke them to pursew, The couert was so thicke, that did no passage shew. Then turning to that swaine, him well he knew xxiii To be his _Timias_, his owne true Squire, Whereof exceeding glad, he to him drew, And him embracing twixt his armes entire, Him thus bespake; My liefe, my lifes desire, Why haue ye me alone thus long yleft? Tell me what worlds despight, or heauens yre Hath you thus long away from me bereft? Where haue ye all this while bin wandring, where bene[480] weft? With that he sighed deepe for inward tyne: xxiv To whom the Squire nought aunswered againe, But shedding few soft teares from tender eyne, His deare affect with silence did restraine, And shut vp all his plaint in priuy paine. There they awhile some gracious speaches spent, As to them seemed fit time to entertaine. After all which vp to their steedes they went, And forth together rode a comely couplement.