Therewith he rested, and well pleased was, xxxix So peace being confirm’d amongst them all, They tooke their steeds, and forward thence did pas Vnto some resting place, which mote befall, All being guided by Sir _Artegall_. Where goodly solace was vnto them made, And dayly feasting both in bowre and hall, Vntill that they their wounds well healed had, And wearie limmes recur’d after late vsage bad. In all which time, Sir _Artegall_ made way xl Vnto the loue of noble _Britomart_, And with meeke seruice and much suit did lay Continuall siege vnto her gentle hart, Which being whylome launcht[110] with louely dart, More eath was new impression to receiue, How euer she her paynd with womanish art To hide her wound, that none might it perceiue: Vaine is the art that seekes it selfe for to deceiue. So well he woo’d her, and so well he wrought her, xli With faire entreatie and sweet blandishment, That at the length vnto a bay he brought her, So as she to his speeches was content To lend an eare, and softly to relent. At last through many vowes which forth he pour’d, And many othes, she yeelded her consent To be his loue, and take him for her Lord, Till they with mariage meet might finish that accord. Tho when they had long time there taken rest, xlii Sir _Artegall_, who all this while was bound Vpon an hard aduenture yet in quest, Fit time for him thence to depart it found, To follow that, which he did long propound; And vnto her his congee came to take. But her therewith full sore displeasd he found, And loth to leaue her late betrothed make, Her dearest loue full loth so shortly to forsake. Yet he with strong perswasions her asswaged, xliii And wonne her will to suffer him depart; For which his faith with her he fast engaged, And thousand vowes from bottome of his hart, That all so soone as he by wit or art Could that atchieue, whereto he did aspire, He vnto her would speedily reuert: No longer space thereto he did desire, But till the horned moone three courses did expire. With which she for the present was appeased, xliv And yeelded leaue, how euer malcontent She inly were, and in her mind displeased. So early in[111] the morrow next he went Forth on his way, to which he was ybent. Ne wight him to attend, or way to guide, As whylome was the custome ancient Mongst Knights, when on aduentures they did ride, Saue that she algates him a while accompanide.