Season 4 Podcast 91 Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen, Canto 1 C Episode 3 “Archimago.”

Season 4 Podcast 91 Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queen, Canto 1 C Episode 3 “Archimago.” In the previous Podcast, # 86, The Red Cross Knight defeats the dragon and earns his armor. He and Una and the Dwarf, who because of a storm had divagated from the straight and narrow path and wandered in the wilderness seeking shelter. That is how they came upon the Dragon’s lair. They leave the wild wilderness and get back on the path. Proud of his accomplishment, the Red Cross Knight is unprepared for his next test which comes in disguise. The three meet a holy man.   At length they chaunst to meet upon the wayAn aged Sire, in long black weeds yclad, His feet all bare, his beard all hoary grayAnd by his belt his book he hanging had;Sober he seemed, and very sagely sad,And to the ground his eyes were lowly bent,Simple in shew, and void of malice bad, And all the way he prayed, as he went,And often knockt his breast, as one that did repent. Fooled by appearances the three feel perfectly safe. The adventurous knight asks the holy man if he knew of any strange adventure that needed his attention. He faire the knight saluted, louting low,Who faire him quited, as that courteous was:And after asked him, if he did know Of strange adventures, which abroad did pass.Ah my dear Son (quoth he) how should, alas,Silly old man, that lives in hidden cell,Bidding his beads all day for his trespass,Tidings of war and worldly trouble tell? With holy father sits not with such things to mell. The old man assures them that he is but a hermit and doesn’t meddle with worldly things; however, he does know someone who can answer his question. But if of danger which hereby doth dwell,And homebred evil ye desire to hear,Of a strange man I can you tidings tell,That wasteth all this country far and near. Of such (said he) I chiefly do inquire,And shall you well reward to shew the place,In which that wicked wight his day doth wear:For to all knighthood it is foul disgrace,That such a cursed creature lives so long a space. Far hence (quoth he) in wasteful wildernessHis dwelling is, by which no living wightMay ever pass, but thorough great distress. The Red Cross Knight, seeking adventure, wants to meet this strange man. It is the same curiosity that enticed him to look into the Dragon’s lair. He feels it is his duty as a knight to challenge such an evil man. Having learned nothing from his first experience, again he desires to run to a battle he never should have fought. Una, however, immediately senses danger and as she warned the Red Cross Knight not to get too close to the dragon’s den, she warns him again not to go to this “wasteful wilderness.” Even the sun rests after a weary day and so should the Knight.