O but (quoth she) great griefe will not be tould,[*] And can more easily be thought then said. Right so (quoth he), but he that never would, Could never: will to might gives greatest aid. But griefe (quoth she) does greater grow displaid, 360 If then it find not helpe, and breedes despaire. Despaire breedes not (quoth he) where faith is staid. No faith[*] so fast (quoth she) but flesh does paire. Flesh may empaire (quoth he) but reason can repaire. XLII His goodly reason, and well guided speach, 365 So deepe did settle in her gracious thought, That her perswaded to disclose the breach, Which love and fortune in her heart had wrought, And said; Faire Sir, I hope good hap hath brought You to inquire the secrets of my griefe, 370 Or that your wisedome will direct my thought, Or that your prowesse can me yield reliefe: Then heare the storie sad, which I shall tell you briefe. XLIII The forlorne Maiden, whom your eyes have seene The laughing stocke of fortunes mockeries, 375 Am th' only daughter[*] of a King and Queene, Whose parents deare, whilest equal destinies[*] Did runne about, and their felicities The favourable heavens did not envy, Did spread their rule through all the territories, 380 Which Phison[*] and Euphrates floweth by, And Gehons golden waves doe wash continually. XLIV Till that their cruell cursed enemy, An huge great Dragon horrible in sight, Bred in the loathly lakes of Tartary,[*] 385 With murdrous ravine, and devouring might Their kingdome spoild, and countrey wasted quight: Themselves, for feare into his jawes to fall, He forst to castle strong to take their flight, Where fast embard in mighty brasen wall, 390 He has them now foure yeres besiegd to make them thrall.[*] XLV Full many knights adventurous and stout Have enterpriz'd that Monster to subdew; From every coast that heaven walks about,[*] Have thither come the noble Martiall crew, 395 That famous hard atchievements still pursew; Yet never any could that girlond win, But all still shronke, and still he greater grew: All they for want of faith, or guilt of sin, The pitteous pray of his fierce crueltie have bin. 400 XLVI At last yledd with farre reported praise, Which flying fame throughout the world had spred, Of doughty knights, whom Faery land did raise, That noble order[*] hight of Maidenhed, Forthwith to court of Gloriane[*] I sped 405 Of Gloriane great Queene of glory bright, Whose Kingdomes seat Cleopolis[*] is red, There to obtaine some such redoubted knight, The Parents deare from tyrants powre deliver might. XLVII