At length they came, whereas a troupe of Knights xx They saw together skirmishing, as seemed: Sixe they were all, all full of fell despight, But foure of them the battell best beseemed, That which of them was best, mote not be deemed. Those foure were they, from whom false _Florimell_ By _Braggadochio_ lately was redeemed. To weet, sterne _Druon_, and lewd _Claribell_, Loue-lauish _Blandamour_, and lustfull _Paridell_. _Druons_ delight was all in single life, xxi And vnto Ladies loue would lend no leasure: The more was _Claribell_ enraged rife With feruent flames, and loued out of measure: So eke lou’d _Blandamour_, but yet at pleasure Would change his liking, and new Lemans proue. But _Paridell_ of loue did make no threasure, But lusted after all, that him did moue. So diuersly these foure disposed were to loue. But those two other which beside them stoode, xxii Were _Britomart_, and gentle _Scudamour_, Who all the while beheld their wrathfull moode, And wondred at their impacable stoure, Whose like they neuer saw till that same houre: So dreadfull strokes each did at other driue, And laid on load with all their might and powre, As if that euery dint the ghost would riue Out of their wretched corses, and their liues depriue. As when _Dan Æolus_ in great displeasure, xxiii For losse of his deare loue by _Neptune_ hent, Sends forth the winds out of his hidden threasure, Vpon the sea to wreake his fell intent; They breaking forth with rude vnruliment, From all foure parts of heauen doe rage full sore, And tosse the deepes, and teare the firmament, And all the world confound with wide vprore, As if in stead thereof they _Chaos_ would restore. Cause of their discord, and so fell debate, xxiv Was for the loue of that same snowy maid, Whome they had lost in Turneyment of late, And seeking long, to weet which way she straid,[161] Met here together, where through lewd vpbraide Of _Ate_ and _Duessa_ they fell out, And each one taking part in others aide, This cruell conflict raised thereabout, Whose dangerous successe depended yet in dout. For sometimes _Paridell_ and _Blandamour_ xxv The better had, and bet the others backe, Eftsoones the others did the field recoure, And on their foes did worke full cruell wracke: Yet neither would their fiendlike fury slacke, But euermore their malice did augment; Till that vneath they forced were for lacke Of breath, their raging rigour to relent, And rest themselues for to recouer spirits spent.