XXV The steely head stuck fast still in his The knight was wroth to see his stroke flesh, 190 beguyld, With heat, toyle, wounds, armes, smart, and inward fire, 245 That never man such mischiefes did torment; Now gan the golden Phoebus for to steepe Whiles from their journal labours they did rest, When that infernall monster, having kest9 276 Death better were, death did he oft desire, His wearie foe into that living well, Gan high advaunce his broad discoloured brest But death will never come when needes require. Whom so dismayd when that his foe beheld, He cast1 to suffer him no more respire,5 250 But gan his sturdy sterne about to weld, And him so strongly stroke, that to the ground him feld. Above his wonted pitch, with countenance fell, And clapt his yron wings, as victor he did dwell. 2 boiled. breathe. 3 burned. • tail. Whom when the damned feend so fresh The mortall sting his angry needle shott Quite through his shield, and in his shoulder seasd,7 Where fast it stucke, ne would thereout be 2 stain itself. ⚫ smote. 4 ' yielding. 5 outstretched. 7 fastened. To loose, ne yet the warlike pledge to yield, He smott thereat with all his might and maine, That nought so wondrous puissaunce might sustaine: Upon the joint the lucky steele did light, And made such way that hewd it quite in twaine; might, 385 The hell-bred beast threw forth unto the The paw yett missed not his minisht skies, 354 That all was covered with darknesse dire: Then, fraught with rancour and en But hong still on the shield, as it at first was pight.10 The heate whereof, and harmefull pestilence, So sore him noyd,13 that forst him to retire 400 A little backeward for his best defence, To save his body from the scorching fire, Which he from hellish entrailes did exIt chaunst, (Eternall God that chaunce pire. did guide) As he recoiled backeward, in the mire • filled. • talons. 7 then. 2 black as a thunderbolt. 1 raised. ⚫ planned. 5 knew. 405 10 placed. 12 hot room. 14 wearied out. |
