And Fair-Calling, that weel a flane1 could shoot,

And Cherishing for to complete her charge

XXII.

Dame Hameliness she took in company, That hardy was, and heynd2 in archery, And brought dame Beauty to the field again; With all the choice of Venus chivalry They come, and bikkered 3 unabaitedly; The shower of arrows rappèd on as rain, Perilous Presence that many sire has slain, The battle brought on bordour 4 hard us by, The salt 5 was all the sarer sooth to sayen.

XXIII.

Thick was the shotof grounden 6 dartis keen;
But Reason, with the shield of gold so sheen,
Warily defended whosoever assayed
The awful stour he manly did sustain,
Till Presence cast a pulder? in his eyne,
And then as drunken man he all forwayed;8
When he was blind the fool with him they
played,

And banisht him among the bewis9 green;
That sorry sight me suddenly affrayed.

XXIV.

Then was I wounded till the death well near,
And yolden 10 as ane woful prisoner
To lady Beauty, in a moment space.
Methought she seemed lustier of cheer,
After that Reason tint had his eyne clear,
Than of before, and lovelier of face:
Why was thou blinded, Reason? why alace!
And gert II ane hell my paradise appear,
And mercy seem where that I found no
grace.
XXV.
Dissimulance was busy me to syle, 12
And Fair-Calling did oft upon me smile,