Book 2, Canto 1 Summary

Archimago escapes and tries to follow Red Cross. On the way he meets up with a new knight, Sir Guyon, and Archimago tells Guyon that a knight with a red cross on his shield has raped a virgin. Archimago then offers to lead Guyon to where the villainous knight can be found. Guyon, ever ready to avenge wrongdoing, eagerly follows him. En route, the two come across the supposedly ravished virgin (really Duessa up to her old tricks again) and Guyon is even more determined to avenge her honor. He confronts Red Cross and the two fight, but Guyon can't bring himself to strike the holy emblem on Red Cross's shield. The two eventually realize their kinship (as fellow good knights) and part as friends.

Guyon, who is traveling with a Palmer (who always offers good advice that Guyon occasionally hears...