Which when as fearefull _Amoret_ perceiued, xxi She staid not the[121] vtmost end thereof to try, But like a ghastly Gelt, whose wits are reaued, Ran forth in hast with hideous outcry, For horrour of his shamefull villany. But after her full lightly he vprose, And her pursu’d as fast as she did flie: Full fast she flies, and farre afore him goes, Ne feeles the thorns and thickets pricke her tender toes. Nor[122] hedge, nor ditch, nor hill, nor dale she staies, xxii But ouerleapes them all, like Robucke light, And through the thickest makes her nighest waies; And euermore when with regardfull sight She looking backe, espies that griesly wight Approching nigh, she gins to mend her pace, And makes her feare a spur to hast her flight: More swift then _Myrrh’_ or _Daphne_ in her race, Or any of the Thracian Nimphes in saluage chase. Long so she fled, and so he follow’d long; xxiii Ne liuing aide for her on earth appeares, But if the heauens helpe to redresse her wrong, Moued with pity of her plenteous teares. It fortuned _Belphebe_ with her peares The woody Nimphs, and with that louely boy, Was hunting then the Libbards and the Beares, In these wild woods, as was her wonted ioy, To banish sloth, that oft doth noble mindes annoy. It so befell, as oft it fals in chace, xxiv That each of them from other sundred were, And that same gentle Squire arriu’d in place, Where this same cursed caytiue did appeare, Pursuing that faire Lady full of feare, And now he her quite ouertaken had; And now he her away with him did beare Vnder his arme, as seeming wondrous glad, That by his grenning laughter mote farre off be rad. Which[123] drery sight the gentle Squire espying, xxv Doth hast to crosse him by the nearest way, Led with that wofull Ladies piteous crying, And him assailes with all the might he may, Yet will not he the louely spoile downe lay, But with his craggy club in his right hand, Defends him selfe, and saues his gotten pray. Yet had it bene right hard him to withstand, But that he was full light and nimble on the land. Thereto the villaine vsed craft in fight; xxvi For euer when the Squire his iauelin shooke, He held the Lady forth before him right, And with her body, as a buckler, broke The puissance of his intended stroke. And if it chaunst, (as needs it must in fight) Whilest he on him was greedy to be wroke, That any little blow on her did light, Then would he laugh aloud, and gather great delight.