The story of the Faerie queene

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The Story of tKe Fae^e Queene

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THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY

PHILADELPHIA IsICMII m

Copyright 1902 by The Penn Publishing Company

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Faerie Queene” is one of the greatest

1 poems in English literature. It was written by Edmund Spenser, who lived in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He was a member of that coterie of distinguished writers who shed glory upon the Elizabethan era. He possessed a poetical genius of the highest order, and was an ornament of the age and country in which he lived. In poetic merit Spenser is ranked in English literature next to Shakspere, Chaucer, and Milton.

The poem is remarkable for richness of imagery and fertility of conception. Spenser’s imagination was rich and creative, and his poem is alive with the noblest and loveliest characters and the most interesting incidents. There is also a tenderness of feeling united with a sweetness of expression that touches the heart and gratifies the most exquisite taste. It possesses all the charms of a world of enchantment in which the fairest flowers are ever springing and new beauties are presented on every side.

The success of the poem when published was instantaneous. It became at once the delight 9 of every accomplished gentleman, the model of every poet, the solace of every scholar. Panegyrics were written on its author; it extended the circle of his friends, strengthened his position at court, won for him the smiles of his sovereign, •and secured him the applause of the good. It exercised an influence on our literature and language which has never ceased. Nearly every succeeding poet has been more or less indebted to the inspiration of Spenser’s genius.

Of the sweetness of Spenser’s fancy every person of culture must be sensible; it has, as some one says, the melody of falling waters, and wins upon the senses imperceptibly. Speaking of this element of his genius, Campbell says: “He is like a speaker whose tones continue to be pleasing, though he may speak too long; or like a painter who makes us forget the defect of his design by the magic of his coloring. We always rise from perusing him with melody in the mind’s ear, and with pictures of romantic beauty impressed on the imagination.”

While all this is true, the poem is rarely attractive to readers of the present day, and is seldom read except by men and women of high literary culture. This is due partly to the archaic language in which it is written and the irregular flow of the verse, sometimes seeming artificial and labored. Moreover, though teeming with paslO sages of beauty, pathos, and grandeur, yet, as a whole it is wanting in unity and completeness. Each of the books might have been issued as a separate poem without any injury to the remainder. Indeed, the first book, usually thought to be the best of the six, is a complete work in itself, and has little connection with the other parts. The principal link among them is the appearance of Prince Arthur, the ancient Celtic king; but even this character “appears and vanishes like a spirit, and we lose sight of him too soon to consider him the hero of the poem.” To account for the unfinished state of the “Faerie Queene,” six remaining books were supposed to be lost by a servant in their precipitate retreat from Ireland at the time of the insurrection. There is no evidence, however, that there were any other books of the poem, and it is believed that the author grew tired of his work and purposely left it unfinished.

The poem, however, contains so much that is delightful and elevating, so much that is pure and sweet and noble, that the general ignorance of the public in respect to it is to be regretted. The moral tone of the work is so elevated and the sentiments set forth so full of refinement and beauty that it deserves a more general reading than it receives. /It is allegorical in its style, and is designed to hold up for admiration and imitation the virtues 'of morality and religion./ The characters are typical of these virtues, and are so delightfully drawn as to touch our hearts with sympathy and awaken our admiration. The Red Cross Knight, Una, Sir Guyon, Britomart, Sir Artegall, and others, are all characters who win our hearts by their splendid virtues. The book thus stands on the highest plane of moral thought and feeling, presenting a picture of the loftiest motives and actions; and is adapted to hold before the mind the moral virtues in their most fascinating guise. It appeals with special force to the young of both sexes, touching their imaginations by its heroic deeds and lifting their hearts in admiration of that which is pure and high and noble.

The Fairy Land of Spenser is really the land of chivalry rather than a real fairy land. It is a region in which heroic daring and ideal purity are the objects chiefly presented to our imaginations. The principal' personages are knights bound on perilous adventures, ladies of rare virtues rescued from hideous monsters and fearful miseries, and good and evil enchanters whose spells affect the destiny of those with whom they come in contact. The hero of the poem is said to be the chivalrous Arthur of the British legends, but he enters it so wrapped in a cloud of symbols that he seems but an incident in the story. The Faerie Queene, named Gloriana, who was the object of the Prince’s warmest love, was herself an emblem of 12

Virtuous Renown, and was meant to represent the poet’s queen, Elizabeth. The adventures of the characters, connected by no tie except the occasional appearance of Arthur, form, as before stated, six independent poetic tales.

The First Book relates the Legend of the Red Cross Knight, who is the type of Holiness. In this occurs the beautiful episode of Una and the Lion which has been a favorite subject to painter and sculptor. The knight and Una present the highest ideals of courage, courtesy, and purity, and live in the thought of the world like a dream of beauty.

The Second Book presents the Legend of Sir Guyon, illustrating the virtue of Temperance. He was also a knight of Gloriana, devoted to lofty and chivalrous adventures. On his shield he had portrayed the face of the Faerie Queene, which wrought a charm in times of danger. He was both gentle and brave, and met with many foes who soughi his life and tried to tempt him from the path of virtue. Magicians and enchantresses in vain attempted to make him forget his knightly vows. Here we meet the beautiful character of Alma, a noble maiden who lived in the castle of Temperance, and whose three counsellors were Imagination, Judgment, and Memory.

In the Third Book we have the Legend of Britomart, the type of Chastity. She was a maiden of rare beauty, the daughter of the legendary King

Ryence of South Wales. She is represented as putting on the suit of armor of a knight, and with her old nurse dressed as her squire, going wandering through the world in search of a noble knight, Sir Artegall. With her courage she possessed a strength of body and skill in the use of arms with which few knights could compete. Her heart was a shrine of purity, and her deeds of valor shine forth in the poem with resplendent light. How she at last met and fought with Sir Artegall, not knowing who he was, and how each fell in love with the other, is told in a charming way in the poem.

In the Fourth Book is found the Legend of Friendship personified in the two knights, Cambell and Triamond. Here we meet also two beautiful characters, Amoret and Emilia, who were made captives by a hideous savage, and also the glorious huntress queen Belphoebe. Prince Arthur appears prominently in this book as the protector of the two maidens, showing them many deeds of courtesy. There are many incidents in this book which are unsuited to young people and cannot be so well told in a prose narrative, and thus in this version of the poem the story is comparatively brief.

In the Fifth Book we have the interesting Legend of Sir Artegall, the emblem of Justice. He was one of the noblest heroes at the court of the Faerie Queene. He won for his bride the fair and valorous Princess Britomart, and then to keep his knightly vow started out to destroy injustice, in which he met with many perilous adventures. With him went Talus, a man of iron mold, whose weapon was an iron flail with which he threshed out falsehood and unfolded the truth. His battle with the Saracen on the narrow bridge, with the boastful giant who would weigh the world in his scales, his contest with Radigund, the Queen of the Amazons, in which at a glance of her beautiful face as she lay wounded he gallantly threw away his sword, are all related with a fascinating skill and power. Here also is told how the Princess Britomaft does battle with Queen Radigund and releases her husband Sir Artegall, who had been severely wounded after throwing away his sword, and shut up in prison by the Amazon queen.

The Sixth Book treats of the Legend of Sir Calidore, the emblem of Courtesy. Here are painted some scenes inspired with the warmest glow of fancy. Sir Calidore, as Chaucer says of another, “was a veray parfit gentil knight.” His adventure with the Blatant Beast illustrates how justice and courage can overcome the wrong, and the final escape of the Beast shows the eternal conflict of truth with error. The character of Pastorella, as drawn in the poem, shows the high ideals of womanly virtue and loveliness that dwelt t5 in the mind of the author, and mirrors his own sweet and gentle nature. In the story of the Proud Discourteous Knight he introduces young Tristram, one of the heroes of the Round Table, as related in the Arthurian legends.

The principal characters and incidents of the poem are presented in this prose version of the “Faerie Queene,” giving an interesting series of knightly deeds and achievements. In its present form it is a book for youth, to whom tales of chivalry are especially fascinating. Its influence will be to develop in the mind of youth high ideals of courtesy and honor. It holds forth to their youthful admiration sentiments of friendship, fidelity, justice, temperance, chastity, and holiness — the greatest Christian virtues — which, if early inculcated in the hearts of the young, lead to high ideals and noble thought and action. ^ One of the highest objects of life is the development of character; and the books read in childhood, when full of noble sentiments and actions, are among the surest means for the cultivation of those feelings and purposes that enrich the spiritual nature and result in a noble manhood and a beautiful womanhood.

Philadelphia, January i6th, 1902.

Contents

PAGE

INTRODUCTION 5

BOOK I The Court of the Queen 21

The Wood of Error 24

Holiness is Deceived by the Magician 28

The Knight Forsakes Una 32

Holiness fights Faithless, and makes Friends

WITH False Religion 35

Una and the Lion 38

In the Hands of the Enemy 43

The House of Pride 46

The Battle for the Shield 54

Una and the Woodland Knight 60

The False Pilgrim 62

The Giant Pride 67

V Prince Arthur 70

The Wondrous Bugle and the Mighty Shield 74

The Knight with the Hempen Rope 84

In THE Cave of Despair 89

How THE Red Cross Knight came to the House

OF Holiness 94

The City of the Great King 100

The Last Fight 103

Ease after War 105

CONTENTS

Book II Page

Sir Guyon meets the Magician iii

Friend or Foe T15

The Story of the Knight and the Lady 120

The Three Sisters 122

Braggadochio 128

Fury's Captive 13 1

The Anger of Fire 136

The Idle Lake 142

The Realm of Pluto 146

The Cave of Mammon 151

The Champion of Chivalry 158

The House of Temperance 164

The Rock of Reproach and the Wandering

Islands 171

Sea-Monsters and Land-Monsters 177

The Bower of Bliss 180

BOOK HI

How Sir Guyon met a Champion mightier than

HIMSELF 187

How Britomart fought with Six Knights 189

How it fared with Britomart in Castle Joyous. .. 195

How Britomart looked into the Magic Mirror. . . . 199

How Britomart went to the Cave of the

Magician Merlin 204

How Britomart set forth on her Quest 210

CONTENTS

PACK

How Britomart came to the Castle of the

Churl Malbecco 213

How Britomart walked through Fire 217

What Britomart saw in the Enchanted Chamber 224 How Britomart rescued a Fair Lady from a

Wicked Enchanter 230

What Strange Meetings befell on the Way 235

How Sir Satyrane proclaimed a Great Tournament 241

What befell on the First and Second Days of

THE Tournament 248

How Britomart did Battle for the Golden

Girdle 253

How THE Golden Girdle was awarded to the

False Florimell 257

How Sir Scudamour came to the House of Care. . 262

How THE Savage Knight met the Knight with

THE Ebony Spear 268

How Britomart ended her Quest 273

BOOK IV The Giant with Flaming Eyes 279

For his Friend's Sake 288

The Giant's Daughter 294

BOOK V The Sword of Justice and the Iron Man 298

The Adventure of the Saracen's Bridge 304

The Giant with the Scales 309

CONTENTS

PACK

Borrowed Plumes, and the Fate of the Snowy

Lady 312

How the Good Horse Brigadore knew his own

Master 317

The Adventure of the Two Brothers and the

• Coffer 322

Radigund, Queen of the Amazons 328

How Sir Artegall threw away his Sword 336

The House of Guile 342

The Battle of Queen Radigund and Britomart. . . . 350

The Adventure of the Damsel, the Two Knights,

AND the Sultan's Horses 356

The Adventure at the Den of Deceit 366

The Adventure of the Tyrant Grantorto 374

BOOK VI The Quest of the Blatant Beast 384

The Proud Discourteous Knight 394

Coridon and Pastorella 400

In the Brigands' Den 405

The Beast with a Thousand Tongues 414

BOOK I Ube IRniobt of WoUness

Zbc Court of tbe Queen

O NCE upon a time, in the days when there were still such things as giants and dragons, there lived a great Queen. She reigned over a rich and beautiful country, and because she was good and noble every one loved her, and tried also to be good. Her court was the most splendid one in the world, for all her knights were brave and gallant, and each one thought only of what heroic things he could do, and how best he could serve his royal lady.

The name of the Queen was Gloriana, and each of her twelve chief knights was known as the Champion of some virtue. Thus Sir Guyon was the representative of Temperance, Sir Artegall of Justice, Sir Calidore of Courtesy, andothers took up the cause of Friendship, Constancy, and other similar virtues.

Every year the Queen held a great feast, which lasted twelve days. Once, on the first day of the feast, a stranger in poor clothes came to the court, and kneeling before the Queen, begged a favor of 21 her. It was always the custom at these feasts that the Queen should refuse nothing that was asked, so she bade the stranger say what it was he wished. Then he besought that, if any cause arose which called for knightly aid, the adventure might be entrusted to him.

When the Queen had given her promise he stood quietly on one side, and did not try to mingle with the other guests who were feasting at the splendid tables. Although he was a brave and a daring knight, he was very gentle and modest; and as he had never yet proved his valor in fight, he did not think himself worthy of a place among the knights who had already won dor themselves honor and renown.

Soon after this there rode into the city a' fair lady on a white palfry. Behind her came her servant, a dwarf, leading a warlike horse that bore the armor of a knight. The face of the lady was lovely, but it was very sorrowful.

Making her way to the palace, the lady knelt before Queen Gloriana and implored her help. She said that her name was Una; that she was the daughter of a king and queen who formerly ruled over a mighty country; but that, many years ago, a huge dragon came and wasted all the land, and shut the king and queen up in a brazen castle, from which they might never come out. The Lady Una therefore besought Queen Gloriana to 22 grant her one of her knights to fight and kill this terrible dragon.

At this the stranger sprang forward, and reminded the Queen of the promise she had made. But she was unwilling for him to go, for the knight was young, and, moreover, he had no armor of his own to fight with. He, however, would not be denied.

Then said the Lady Una to him, “Will you wear the armor that I bring you? Unless you do you will never succeed in the enterprise, nor kill the horrible monster of Evil. The armor is not new, and it is scratched and dinted with many a hard-fought battle; but if you wear it rightly no armor that ever was made will serve you so well.”

So the stranger bade them bring the armor and put it on him, and Una said, “Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

And when the stranger had put off his own rough clothes and was clad in this armor, straightway he seemed the goodliest man in all that company, and the Lady Una was well pleased with her champion; and, because of the red cross which ^ he wore on his breastplate and on his silver shield, he was known henceforth as the ‘'Red Cross Knight.’’ But his real name was Holiness, and the name of the lady for whom he was to do battle was Truth.

Then these two rode forth into the world together, while a little way behind followed their faithful attendant. Prudence. And now you shall hear some of the adventures that befell the Red Cross Knight and his two companions.

Zbc TWaooD of Brror

The first adventure happened in this vvay. Scarcely had the Red Cross Knight and the Lady Una started on their journey when the sky suddenly became overcast, and a great storm of rain beat down upon the earth. Looking about for shelter, they saw, not far away, a shady grove, which seemed just what they needed. The trees here had great spreading branches, which grew so thickly overhead that no light could pierce the covering of leaves. Through this wood wide paths and alleys, well trodden, led in all directions. It seemed a truly pleasant place, and a safe shelter against the tempest, so they entered in at once.

For a while, as they roamed along the winding paths they found nothing but pleasure. Deeper and deeper into the heart of the wood they went, hearing with joy the sweet singing of the birds, and being filled with wonder at so many kinds of beautiful trees. But, by-and-by, when the storm was over and they wished to go forward on their journey, they found, to their sorrow, that they had lost their way. It was impossible to remember by which path they had come; every way seemed strange and unknown. Here and there they wandered, backward and forward; there were so many turnings to be seen, so many paths, that they knew not which to take to lead them out of the wood.

In this perplexity, they at last determined to go straight forward until they found some end, either in or out of the wood. Choosing for this purpose one of the broadest and most trodden paths, they came presently to a hollow cave in the thickest part of the wood. Then the Red Cross Knight dismounted from his steed, and gave his spear to the dwarf to hold.

“Take heed,” said the Lady Una, “lest you too rashly provoke mischief. This is a wild and unknown place, and peril is often without show. Hold back, therefore, till you know if there is any danger hidden there.”

“Ah, lady,” said the Knight, “it were shame to go backward for fear of a hidden danger. Virtue herself gives light to lead through any darkness.”

'‘Yes,” said Una; “but I know better than you the peril of this place, though now it is too late to bid you return. Yet wisdom warns you to stay your steps, before you are forced to retreat. This is the Wandering Wood, and that is the den of Error, in which there is a horrible monster, hated of all. Therefore, I advise you to be cautious.”

“Fly, fly, then! this is no place for living men!” cried timid Prudence.

But the young Knight was full of eagerness and fiery courage, and nothing could daunt him. Forth to the darksome hole he went, and looked in. His glittering armor made a little light, by which he could plainly see the ugly monster. Such a great, horrible thing it was, something like a snake, having a long tail twisted in knots, with 26 stings all over it. And near this wicked big creature, whose other name was Falsehood, there were a thousand little ones, all varying in shape, but every one bad and ugly; for you may be quite sure that wherever one of this horrible race is found, there will always be many others of the same family lurking near.

When the light shone into the cave all the little creatures fled to hide themselves, and the big parent Falsehood rushed out of her den in anger. But when she saw the shining armor of the Knight she tried to turn back, for she hated light as her deadliest foe, and she was always accustomed to live in darkness, where she could neither see plainly nor be seen.

' When the Knight saw that she was trying to escape, he sprang after her as fierce as a lion, and then the great fight began. Though he strove valiantly, yet he was in sore peril, for suddenly the cunning creature flung her huge tail round and round him, so that he could stir neither hand nor foot.

Then the Lady Una cried out, to encourage him, ^‘Now, now. Sir Knight, show what you are ! Add faith unto your force, and be not faint ! Kill her, or else she will surely kill you.”

With that, fresh strength and courage came to the Knight. Gathering all his force, he got one hand free, and gripped the creature by the throat 27 with so much pain that she was soon compelled to loosen her wicked hold. Seeing that she was being worsted, she suddenly tried to stifle the Knight by flinging over him a flood of poison. This made the Knight retreat a moment. Then the dragon called to her aid all the horrid little creeping and crawling monsters that he had seen before, and many others of the same kind, or worse. These came swarming and buzzing round the Knight like a cloud of teasing gnats, and tormented and confused him with their feeble stings. Enraged at this fresh attack, he made up his mind to end the matter one way or another, and, rushing at his foe, he killed her with one stroke of his sword.

Then Lady Una, who, from a distance, had watched all that passed, came near in haste to greet the victor.

“Fair Knight,” she said, “born under a happy star ! You are well worthy of that armor in which this day you have won great glory, and proved your strength against a strong enemy. This is your first battle. I pray that you will win many others in like manner.”

DoUncsg f6 Deceived the /iftagfcfan

After his victory over Falsehood, the Red Cross Knight again mounted his steed, and he and the Lady Una went on their way. Keeping carefully to one path, and turning neither to the right 28 hand nor the left, they at last found themselves safely out of the Wood of Error.

But now they were to fall into the power of a more dangerous and treacherous foe than even the hateful monster Falsehood.

After traveling a long way, and meeting with no fresh adventure, they saw in the road an old man. He appeared very wise and good. He was dressed in a long black gown, like a hermit, and had bare feet and a gray beard; there was a book hanging from his belt, as was the custom of scholars in those days. He seemed very quiet and sad, and kept his eyes fixed on the ground, and all the time as he went along he seemed to be saying prayers, and lamenting over his own wickedness.

When he saw the travelers he made an humble salute to them. The Red Cross Knight returned the greeting with all courtesy, and asked him if he knew of any strange adventures that were then taking place.

‘‘Ah, my dear son !” said the hermit, “how should a simple old man who lives in a lonely cell, and does nothing all day but sorrow for his own faults, know any tidings of war or worldly trouble? It is not fitting for me to meddle with such matters. But, if indeed you desire to hear about danger and evil, I can tell you about a strange man who wastes all the surrounding country.”

“That,” said the Knight, “is what I chiefly ask about, and I will reward you well if you will guide me to the place where he dwells. For it is a disgrace to knighthood that such a creature should be allowed to live.”

“His dwelling is far away, in the midst of a barren wilderness,” answered the old man. “No living person can ever pass it without great danger and difficulty.”

“Now,” said the Lady Una, “night is drawing near, and I know well that you are wearied with your former fight. Therefore, take rest, and with the new day begin new work.”

“You have been well advised. Sir Knight,” said the old man. “Day is now spent; therefore take up your abode with me for the night.”

The travelers were well content to do this, so they went with the old man to his home.

It was a lowly hermitage, down in a dale by the side of a forest, far from the beaten track of travelers. A small chapel was built near by, and a crystal stream gently welled forth from a neverfailing fountain.

Arrived at the house, they neither expected nor found any entertainment; but as rest was what they needed, they were well satisfied; for a noble mind is always well content. The old man had a good store of pleasing words, and knew well how to entertain his visitors. The evening passed pleasantly, and then the hermit conducted his guests to the lodgings where they were to spend the night.

But when they were safely asleep a horrid change came over the old man, for in reality he was not good at all, although he pretended so to be. His heart was full of hatred, malice, and deceit. He called himself Archimago, which means a “Great Magician,” but his real name was Hypocrisy. He knew that as long as Holiness and Truth kept together, no great harm could come to either of them; so he determined to do everything in his power to separate them. For this purpose he consulted all his books of magic, and set to work to devise cunning schemes and spells. He was so clever and wily that he could deceive people much better and wiser than himself. He also had at his bidding many bad little spirits, who ran about and did his messages. These he used to help his friends and frighten his enemies, and he had the power of making them take any shape he wished.

Choosing two of the worst of these, he sent one on a message to King Morpheus, who rules over the Land of Sleep. He bade him bring back with him a bad, false dream, which Archimago then carried to the sleeping Knight. So cunningly did he contrive the matter, that when the Knight awoke die next morning he never knew that it had only been a dream, but believed that all the things he had seen in his sleep had really happened.

In the meanwhile, Archimago dressed up the other bad spirit to look like Una, so that at a little distance it was impossible to tell any difference in the two figures. He knew that the only way to part Holiness and Truth was to make Holiness believe by some means that Truth was not as good as she appeared to be. He know also that the Red Cross Knight would believe nothing against the Lady Una except what he saw with his own eyes. Therefore he laid his plans with great care and guile.