persuaded by his reasons, were content to deliver the father and the son without ransom. Whereupon, Palladius took order that the Arcadians should presently march out of the town, while the night with mutual diffidence might keep them quiet, and ere day came, they might be well on their way, and so avoid those accidents which in late enemies, a look, a word, or a particular man's quarrel might engender. This being on both sides concluded on, Kalander and Clitophon, who now with infinite joy did know each other, came to kiss the hands and feet of Daiphantus, Clitophon telling his father how Daiphantus, not without danger to himself, had preserved him from the furious malice of the Helots. And then desiring pardon for Argalus, Daiphantus assured them that he would die but he would bring him to them. And so taking their leave of him, Kalander, Clitophon, Palladius, and the rest of the Arcadians swearing that they would no further in any sort molest the Helots, they straightway marched out of the town, carrying both their dead and wounded bodies with them, and by morning were already within the limits of Arcadia.

So then after a few days, settling them in perfect order, Daiphantus took his leave of the Helots, whose eyes bade him farewell with tears, and mouths with kissing the places where he stepped. But he, for his sake, obtained free pardon for Argalus, whom also he delivered; and taking only with him certain principal jewels of his own, he would have parted alone with Argalus, whose countenance well showed while Parthenia was lost he counted not himself delivered, but that the whole multitude must needs guard him into Arcadia, where he by enquiry got to the well-known house of Kalander. There was he received with loving joy of Kalander, with joyful love of Palladius, with humble though doleful demeanor of Argalus, with grateful serviceableness of Clitophon, and honorable admiration of all.

But while all men, saving poor Argalus, made the joy of their eyes speak for their hearts towards Daiphantus, Fortune, that belike was bid to that banquet and meant then to play the good fellow, brought a pleasant adventure among them. It was that as they had newly dined, there came in to Kalander a messenger that brought him word a young noble lady, near kinswoman to the fair Helen, Queen of Corinth, was come thither, and desired to be lodged in his house. Kalander, most glad of such an occasion, went out, and all his other worthy guests with him, saving only Argalus, who remained in his chamber, desirous that this company were once broken up, that he might go in his solitary quest after Parthenia. But when they met this lady, Kalander straight thought he saw his niece Parthenia, and was about in such familiar sort to have spoken unto her; but she, in grave and honorable manner, giving him to understand that he was mistaken, he, half ashamed, excused himself with the exceeding likeness there was between them, though indeed it seemed that his lady was of the more pure and dainty complexion: she said it might very well be, having been many times taken one for another. But as soon as she was brought into the house, before she would rest her, she desired to speak with Argalus publicly, who she heard was in the house. Argalus came in hastily, and as hastily thought as Kalander had done, with sudden changes of joy into sorrow. But she when she had staid their thoughts with telling them her name and quality, in this sort spake unto him. "My lord Argalus," said she, "being of late left in the court of queen Helen of Corinth, as chief in her absence, she being upon some occasion gone thence, there came unto me the lady Parthenia, so disfigured as I think Greece hath nothing so ugly to behold. For my part, it was many days before, with vehement oaths, and some good proofs, she could make me think that she was

Parthenia. Yet at last finding certainly it was she, and greatly pitying her misfortune, so much the more as that all men had ever told me, as now you do, of the great likeness between us, I took the best care I could of her and of her understood the whole tragical history of her undeserved adventure; and therewithal of that most noble constancy in you, my lord Argalus; which whosoever loves not, shows himself to be a hater of virtue, and unworthy to live in the society of mankind. But no outward cherishing could salve the inward sore of her mind; but a few days since she died; before her death earnestly desiring and persuading me to think of no husband but of you, as of the only man in the world worthy to be loved. Withal she gave me this ring to deliver you, desiring you, and by the authority of love commanding you that the affection you bare her you should turn to me; assuring you that nothing can please her soul more than to see you and me matched together. Now, my lord, though this office be not, perchance, suitable to my estate nor sex, who should rather look to be desired; yet, an extraordinary desert requires an extraordinary proceeding: and therefore I am come with faithful love built upon your worthiness, to offer myself, and to beseech you to accept the offer; and if these noble gentlemen present will say it is great folly, let them withal say it is great love." And then she staid, earnestly attending Argalus's answer; who, first making most hearty sighs do such obsequies as he could to Parthenia, thus answered her.

"Madam," said he, "infinitely bound am I unto you, for this no more rare than noble courtesy; but most bound for the goodness I perceive you showed to the lady Parthenia," — with that the tears ran down his eyes; but he followed on "and as much as so unfortunate a man, fit to be the spectacle of misery, can do you service, determine you have made

a purchase of a slave, while I live, never to fail you. But this great matter you propose unto me, wherein I am not so blind as not to see what happiness it should be unto me, excellent lady, know that if my heart were mine to give, you before all others should have it; but Parthenia's it is, though dead: there I began, there I end all matter of affection: I hope I shall not long tarry after her, with whose beauty if I had only been in love, I should be so with you who have the same beauty; but it was Parthenia's self I loved, and love; which no likeness can make one, no commandment dissolve, no foulness defile, nor no death finish." "And shall I receive," said she, "such disgrace as to be refused?" "Noble lady," said he, "let not that hard word be used; who know your exceeding worthiness far beyond my desert: but it is only happiness I refuse, since of the only happiness I could and can desire, I am refused."

He had scarce spoken those words when she ran to him, and embracing him, "Why then Argalus," said she, "take thy Parthenia:" and Parthenia it was indeed. But because sorrow forbade him too soon to believe, she told him the truth with all circumstances: how being parted alone, meaning to die in some solitary place, as she happened to make her complaint, the queen Helen of Corinth, who likewise felt her part of miseries, being then walking also alone in that lovely place, heard her, and never left till she had known the whole discourse. Which the noble queen greatly pitying, she sent her to a physician of hers, the most excellent man in the world, in hope he could help her: which in such sort as they saw performed, and she taking with her of the queen's servants, thought yet to make this trial, whether he would quickly forget his true Parthenia, or no. Her speech was confirmed by the Corinthian gentlemen who before had kept her counsel, and Argalus easily persuaded to what more than

ten thousand years of life he desired; and Kalander would needs have the marriage celebrated in his house, principally the longer to hold his dear guests, towards whom he was now, besides his own habit of hospitality, carried with love and duty; and therefore omitted no service that his wit could invent and his power minister.

And within some days after, the marriage between Argalus

and the fair Parthenia was celebrated.

AN ADVENTURE OF THE KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSSE, HOLINESSE; AND THE WANDERING OF UNA, TRUTH.

From THE FAERIE QUEENE.

Edmund Spenser.

BOOK I. CANTO I.

A GENTLE Knight was pricking1 on the plaine,

2

Y cladd in mightie armes and silver shielde,
Wherein old dints of deepe wounds did remaine,
The cruell markes of many' a bloudy 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 jolly knight he seemd, and faire did sitt,

3

As one for knightly giusts and fierce encounters fitt.

But on his brest a bloudie Crosse he bore,
The deare remembrance of his dying Lord,

1 pricking, riding quietly.

2 y cladd, clad.

3 guists, tilts, justs.