Her words were not, as common words are ment, xxvi T’expresse the meaning of the inward mind, But noysome breath, and poysnous spirit sent From inward parts, with cancred malice lind, And breathed forth with blast of bitter wind; Which passing through the eares, would pierce the hart, And wound the soule it selfe with griefe vnkind: For like the stings of Aspes, that kill with smart, Her spightfull words did pricke, and wound the inner part. Such was that Hag, vnmeet to host such guests, xxvii Whom greatest Princes court would welcome fayne, But neede, that answers not to all requests, Bad them not looke for better entertayne; And eke that age despysed nicenesse vaine, Enur’d to hardnesse and to homely fare, Which them to warlike discipline did trayne, And manly limbs endur’d with litle care Against all hard mishaps and fortunelesse misfare. Then all that euening welcommed with cold, xxviii And chearelesse hunger, they together spent; Yet found no fault, but that the Hag did scold And rayle at them with grudgefull discontent, For lodging there without her owne consent: Yet they endured all with patience milde, And vnto rest themselues all onely lent, Regardlesse of that queane so base and vilde, To be vniustly blamd, and bitterly reuilde. Here well I weene, when as these rimes be red xxix With misregard, that some rash witted wight, Whose looser thought will lightly be misled, These gentle Ladies will misdeeme too light, For thus conuersing with this noble Knight; Sith now of dayes such temperance is rare And hard to finde, that heat of youthfull spright For ought will from his greedie pleasure spare, More hard for hungry steed t’abstaine from pleasant lare. But antique age yet in the infancie xxx Of time, did liue then like an innocent, In simple truth and blamelesse chastitie, Ne then[145] of guile had made experiment, But voide of vile and treacherous intent, Held vertue for it selfe in soueraine awe: Then loyall loue had royall regiment, And each vnto his lust did make a lawe, From all forbidden things his liking to withdraw. The Lyon there did with the Lambe consort, xxxi And eke the Doue sate by the Faulcons side, Ne each of other feared fraud or tort, But did in safe securitie abide, Withouten perill of the stronger pride: But when the world woxe old, it woxe warre old (Whereof it hight) and hauing shortly tride The traines of wit, in wickednesse woxe bold, And dared of all sinnes the secrets to vnfold.