English Literature

CHAPTER VI. THE AGE OF ELIZABETH (1550-1620)

Ycladd^96 in mightie armes and silver shielde,

Wherein old dints of deepe woundes did remaine

The cruell markes of many a bloody fielde;

Yet armes till that time did he never wield:

His angry steede did chide his foming bitt,

As much disdayning to the curbe to yield:

Full iolly^97 knight he seemd, and faire did sitt,

As one for knightly giusts^98 and fierce encounters

fitt.

And on his brest a bloodie crosse he bore,

The deare remembrance of his dying Lord,

For whose sweete sake that glorious badge he

wore,

And dead, as living ever, him ador’d:

Upon his shield the like was also scor’d,

For soveraine hope, which in his helpe he had,

Right faithfull true he was in deede and word;

But of his cheere^99 did seeme too solemne sad;

Yet nothing did he dread, but ever was ydrad.^100

This sleepy bit, from the dwelling of Morpheus, invites us
to linger:

And, more to lulle him in his slumber soft,

A trickling streame from high rock tumbling

downe,

And ever-drizling raine upon the loft,

Mixt with a murmuring winde, much like the

sowne

Of swarming bees, did cast him in a swowne.

No other noyse, nor peoples troublous cryes,

(^96) clad.
(^97) handsome.
(^98) jousts, tournaments.
(^99) countenance.
(^100) dreaded.