she was sorely dismayed on reaching the
forest to find that Sir Scudamore and Britomart's nurse and squire
had gone away, evidently deeming them both lost. To comfort poor
Amoret, Britomart suggested that they ride after their companions, a
proposal which Amoret gladly accepted.

BOOK IV. LEGEND OF COMBEL AND TRIAMOND, OR OF FRIENDSHIP

As Britomart conjectured, Sir Scudamore, deeming it impossible she
should survive the heat of the flames which had so sorely scorched
him, persuaded the nurse to ride on with him, in hopes of encountering
knights who would help him rescue his bride.

They two soon met a couple of warriors, who, on hearing their tale,
laughingly assured them they need make no further efforts to rescue
Amoret, as she had meantime been saved by a handsome young knight,
with whom she was gayly riding through the forest. Incensed by this
statement, Sir Scudamore offered to fight both informers, who,
laughing at him for being jilted, rode contemptuously away. These two
mockers hadn't gone very far, however, before they encountered a
beautiful damsel, whom they mistook for the long-lost Florimell, but
who was merely an image of her conjured up by the witch to comfort her
son when he blubbered over the loss of his fair lady. As many knights
were in quest of Florimell, some of them soon encountered the
scoffers, who declared they were leading the lady back to court. But a
little while later the Squire of Dames found them contending for the
possession of the false Florimell, and suggested that they settle
their difference at the court of Sir Satyrane, where a tournament had
been proclaimed and where Florimell's girdle was to be bestowed by the
victor upon the fairest lady present. Hearing this, both knights,
anxious to win the girdle, set out for the tournament, where many
others had assembled to take part in the knightly games.

Here any number of feats of valor were performed before, on the third
day, Sir Artegall entered the lists. To his surprise, however, he was
unhorsed by a stranger knight, Britomart, who, little suspecting her
opponent was the lover she sought, bore off in triumph the girdle her
prowess had won. Then, summoning all the maidens present, she picked
out the false Florimell as the greatest beauty and handed her the
girdle. But, to the surprise of all present, the lady could not keep
the girdle clasped about her waist, and, incensed at the mocking
remarks of the bystanders, finally chall