XLI

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.