XXXVI

The knight approaching nigh, of him inquerd
  Tidings of warre, and of adventures new;
  But warres, nor new adventures none he herd. 
  Then Una gan to aske, if ought he knew,
  Or heard abroad of that her champion trew, 315
  That in his armour bare a croslet red. 
  Aye me, Deare dame (quoth he) well may I rew
  To tell the sad sight which mine eies have red. 
These eies did see that knight both living and eke ded.

XXXVII

That cruell word her tender hart so thrild, 320
  That suddein cold did runne through every vaine,
  And stony horrour all her sences fild
  With dying fit, that downe she fell for paine. 
  The knight her lightly reared up againe,
  And comforted with curteous kind reliefe:  325
  Then, wonne from death, she bad him tellen plaine
  The further processe of her hidden griefe: 
The lesser pangs can beare, who hath endur’d the chiefe.

XXXVIII

Then gan the Pilgrim thus, I chaunst this day,
  This fatall day, that shall I ever rew, 330
  To see two knights in travell on my way
  (A sory sight) arraung’d in battell new,
  Both breathing vengeaunce, both of wrathfull hew: 
  My fearefull flesh did tremble at their strife,
  To see their blades so greedily imbrew, 335
  That drunke with bloud, yet thristed after life: 
What more? the Redcrosse knight was slaine with Paynim knife.

XXXIX

Ah dearest Lord (quoth she) how might that bee,
  And he the stoughtest knight, that ever wonne? 
  Ah dearest dame (quoth he) how might I see 340
  The thing, that might not be, and yet was donne? 
  Where is (said Satyrane) that Paynims sonne,
  That him of life, and us of joy hath reft? 
  Not far away (quoth he) he hence doth wonne
  Foreby a fountaine, where I late him left 345
Washing his bloudy wounds, that through the steele were cleft.

XL

Therewith the knight thence marched forth in hast,
  Whiles Una with huge heavinesse opprest,
  Could not for sorrow follow him so fast;
  And soone he came, as he the place had ghest, 350
  Whereas that Pagan proud him selfe did rest,
  In secret shadow by a fountaine side: 
  Even he it was, that earst would have supprest
  Faire Una:  whom when Satyrane espide,
With fowle reprochfull words he boldly him defide. 355

XLI

And said, Arise thou cursed Miscreaunt,
  That hast with knightlesse guile and trecherous train
  Faire knighthood fowly shamed, and doest vaunt
  That good knight of the Redcrosse to have slain: 
  Arise, and with like treason now maintain 360
  Thy guilty wrong, or els thee guilty yield. 
  The Sarazin this hearing, rose amain,
  And catching up in hast his three-square shield,
And shining helmet, soone him buckled to the field.