X

So proud she shyned in her Princely state,
  Looking to heaven; for earth she did disdayne: 
  And sitting high; for lowly she did hate: 
  Lo underneath her scornefull feete was layne 85
  A dreadfull Dragon[*] with an hideous trayne,
  And in her hand she held a mirrhour bright,
  Wherein her face she often vewed fayne,
  And in her selfe-lov’d semblance tooke delight;
For she was wondrous faire, as any living wight. 90

XI

Of griesly Pluto she the daughter was,
  And sad Proserpina the Queene of hell;
  Yet did she thinke her pearlesse worth to pas
  That parentage,[*] with pride so did she swell;
  And thundring Jove, that high in heaven doth dwell, 95
  And wield the world, she claymed for her syre,
  Or if that any else did Jove excell: 
  For to the highest she did still aspyre,
Or if ought higher were then that, did it desyre.

XII

And proud Lucifera men did her call, 100
  That made her selfe a Queene, and crownd to be,
  Yet rightfull kingdome she had none at all,
  Ne heritage of native soveraintie,
  But did usurpe with wrong and tyrannie
  Upon the scepter, which she now did hold:  105
  Ne ruld her Realmes with lawes, but pollicie,
  And strong advizement of six wisards old,[*]
That with their counsels bad her kingdome did uphold.

XIII

Soone as the Elfin knight in presence came,
  And false Duessa seeming Lady faire, 110
  A gentle Husher, Vanitie by name
  Made rowme, and passage for them did prepaire: 
  So goodly brought them to the lowest staire
  Of her high throne, where they on humble knee
  Making obeyssance, did the cause declare, 115
  Why they were come, her royall state to see,
To prove the wide report of her great Majestee.

XIV

With loftie eyes, halfe loth to looke so low,
  She thanked them in her disdainefull wise;
  Ne other grace vouchsafed them to show 120
  Of Princesse worthy, scarse them bad arise. 
  Her Lordes and Ladies all this while devise
  Themselves to setten forth to straungers sight: 
  Some frounce their curled haire in courtly guise,
  Some prancke their ruffes, and others trimly dight 125
Their gay attire:  each others greater pride does spight.

XV

Goodly they all that knight do entertaine,
  Right glad with him to have increast their crew: 
  But to Duess’ each one himselfe did paine
  All kindnesse and faire courtesie to shew; 130
  For in that court whylome her well they knew: 
  Yet the stout Faerie mongst the middest crowd
  Thought all their glorie vaine in knightly vew,
  And that great Princesse too exceeding prowd,
That to strange knight no better countenance allowd. 135