advantages, Georgos boldly attacks him,
only to find no weapon can pierce the metal scales. At the end of the
first day's fight, the dragon withdraws, confident he will get the
better of his foe on the morrow. At the close of the second day, the
monster's tail whisks Georgos into a pool, whose waters fortunately
prove so healing that this bath washes away every trace of weakness
and restores him to health and strength. On the third day's encounter,
the Red Cross Knight manages to run his sword into the dragon's mouth,
and thus inflicts a deadly wound. Seeing her foe writhing at last in
the agonies of death, Una joyfully emerges from her hiding-place,
while the watchman on the castle tower loudly proclaims that they are
free at last!

The poet vividly describes the relief of Una's parents on being able
to emerge from their castle once more, and their joy on embracing the
daughter who has effected their rescue. The castle inmates not only
load Una with praise, but escort her and her champion back to their
abode, where their marriage takes place amid general rejoicings. But,
although the Red Cross Knight would fain linger by Una, he remembers
his promise to serve Gloriana for six years, and sets out immediately
to redress other wrongs.

BOOK II. THE LEGEND OF SIR GUYON, OR OF TEMPERANCE

The next adventure in the Faerie Queene is that of Sir
Guyon,--personifying Temperance,--who is escorted everywhere by a
black-garbed palmer,--Prudence or Abstinence,--at whose dictation he
performs all manner of heroic deeds. Journeying together they soon
meet a squire, who reports a lady has just been captured by a wicked
knight, who is bearing her away. On hearing of this damsel's peril,
Sir Guyon bids her squire lead them in the direction where she
vanished, declaring he will save her if possible. He soon encounters
a maiden with dishevelled locks and torn garments, who delays him by
informing him that she has been illtreated by a knight bearing the
device of a red cross. Although loath to believe Georgos can be guilty
of an unchivalric deed, Sir Guyon and the palmer promise to call him
to account as soon as they overtake him. They no sooner do so,
however, than he assures them Archimago in his guise has been ranging
through the forest, and that they must have met Duessa. Turning to
punish the lying squire who led them astray, Sir Guyon now perceives
he has vanished, and humbly begs pardon of the Red Cross Knight.
Shortly after,