Beth on FQ 1.7

The Faerie Queene 1.7 (Beth Olry)

The Redcrosse knight is being held captive by the giant Orgoglio. Duessa begs the giant not to kill Redcrosse. The giant takes Duessa instead, as a lover, and then imprisons Redcrosse in the dungeon. The dwarf escapes and tells Una about Redcrosse being captured and how Archimago deceived him. Una faints twice but journeys to try to find her love.

While Una is trying to find Redcrosse, she meets King Author and sees his glimmering shield made of diamonds. Arthur listened to her and vows to free Redcrosse. King Arthur calls the giant out with his horn and Duessa appears riding the seven-headed beast. While King Arthur battles the giant and cuts off his arm, the squire nearly dies from the seven-headed beast. When Arthur gets knocked down he pulls out his shield, which inadvertently blinds the beast and the giant. Una and Arthur help Redcrosse escape, who is weary and weak from his imprisonment. Duessa’s true character is exposed when they strip her to show Redcrosse that she is a witch. Duessa flees into the woods and they all celebrate their victory in the castle.


Good stanza: pg 876 Canto VII, 25:

Tempestuous fortune hath spent all her spight,
And thrilling sorrow throwne his utmost dart;
The sad tongue cannot tell more heavvy plight,
Then that I feele, and harobour in mine hart:
Who hath endur’d the whole, can beare each part.
If death it be, it is not the first wound,
That launched hath my breast with bleeding smart.
Begin, and end the bitter balefull stound;
If lesse,, then that I fear, more favour I have found.