X

Strange thing it is an errant knight to see
  Here in this place, or any other wight,
  That hither turnes his steps.  So few there bee
  That chose the narrow path, or seeke the right:  85
  All keepe the broad high way, and take delight
  With many rather for to go astray,
  And be partakers of their evill plight,
  Then with a few to walke the rightest way;
O foolish men, why haste ye to your owne decay? 90

XI

Thy selfe to see, and tyred limbes to rest,
  O matrone sage (quoth she) I hither came;
  And this good knight his way with me addrest,
  Led with thy prayses and broad-blazed fame,
  That up to heaven is blowne.  The auncient Dame 95
  Him goodly greeted in her modest guise,
  And entertaynd them both, as best became,
  With all the court’sies that she could devise,
Ne wanted ought, to shew her bounteous or wise.

XII

Thus as they gan of sundry things devise, 100
  Loe two most goodly virgins came in place,
  Ylinked arme in arme in lovely wise,
  With countenance demure, and modest grace,
  They numbred even steps and equall pace: 
  Of which the eldest, that Fidelia hight, 105
  Like sunny beames threw from her christall face,
  That could have dazd the rash beholders sight,
And round about her head did shine like heavens light.

XIII

She was araied all in lilly white,[*]
  And in her right hand bore a cup of gold, 110
  With wine and water fild up to the hight,
  In which a Serpent did himselfe enfold,
  That horrour made to all that did behold;
  But she no whit did chaunge her constant mood: 
  And in her other hand she fast did hold 115
  A booke, that was both signd and seald with blood: 
Wherin darke things were writ, hard to be understood.

XIV

Her younger sister, that Speranza hight,
  Was clad in blew, that her beseemed well;
  Not all so chearefull seemed she of sight, 120
  As was her sister; whether dread did dwell,
  Or anguish in her hart, is hard to tell: 
  Upon her arme a silver anchor lay,
  Whereon she leaned ever, as befell: 
  And ever up to heaven, as she did pray, 125
Her stedfast eyes were bent, ne swarved other way.

XV

They seeing Una, towards her gan wend,
  Who them encounters with like courtesie;
  Many kind speeches they betwene them spend,
  And greatly joy each other well to see:  130
  Then to the knight with shamefast modestie
  They turne themselves, at Unaes meeke request,
  And him salute with well beseeming glee;
  Who faire them quites, as him beseemed best,
And goodly gan discourse of many a noble gest. 135