On th’one side he, on th’other sate _Delay_, xiii Behinde the gate, that none her might espy; Whose manner was all passengers to stay, And entertaine with her occasions sly, Through which some lost great hope vnheedily, Which neuer they recouer might againe; And others quite excluded forth, did ly Long languishing there in vnpittied paine, And seeking often entraunce, afterwards in vaine. Me when as he had priuily espide, xiv Bearing the shield which I had conquerd late, He kend it streight, and to me opened wide. So in I past, and streight he closd the gate. But being in, _Delay_ in close awaite Caught hold on me, and thought my steps to stay, Feigning full many a fond excuse to prate, And time to steale, the threasure of mans day, Whose smallest minute lost, no riches render may. But by no meanes my way I would forslow, xv For ought that euer she could doe or say, But from my lofty steede dismounting low, Past forth on foote, beholding all the way The goodly workes, and stones of rich assay, Cast into sundry shapes by wondrous skill, That like on earth no where I recken may: And vnderneath, the riuer rolling still With murmure soft, that seem’d to serue the workmans will. Thence forth I passed to the second gate, xvi The _Gate of good desert_, whose goodly pride And costly frame, were long here to relate. The same to all stoode alwaies open wide: But in the Porch did euermore abide An hideous Giant, dreadfull to behold, That stopt the entraunce with his spacious stride, And with the terrour of his countenance bold Full many did affray, that else faine enter would. His name was _Daunger_ dreaded ouer all, xvii Who day and night did watch and duely ward, From fearefull cowards, entrance to forstall, And faint-heart-fooles, whom shew of perill hard Could terrifie from Fortunes faire adward[175]: For oftentimes faint hearts at first espiall Of his grim face, were from approaching scard; Vnworthy they of grace, whom one deniall Excludes from fairest hope, withouten further triall. Yet many doughty warriours, often tride xviii In greater perils to be stout and bold, Durst not the sternnesse of his looke abide, But soone as they his countenance did behold, Began to faint, and feele their corage cold. Againe some other, that in hard assaies Were cowards knowne, and litle count did hold, Either through gifts, or guile, or such like waies, Crept in by stouping low, or stealing of the kaies.