The wicked witch now seeing all this while The doubtfull ballaunce equally to sway, 335 What not by right, she cast to win by guile, And by her hellish science raisd streightway A foggy mist, that overcast the day, And a dull blast, that breathing on her face, Dimmed her former beauties shining ray, 340 And with foule ugly forme did her disgrace: Then was she faire alone, when none was faire in place.°
Then cride she out, Fye, fye, deformed wight, Whose borrowed beautie now appeareth plaine To have before bewitched all mens sight; 345 O leave her soone, or let her soone be slaine. Her loathly visage viewing with disdaine, Eftsoones I thought her such, as she me told, And would have kild her; but with faigned paine The false witch did my wrathfull hand with-hold; 350 So left her, where she now is turnd to treen mould.°
Then forth I tooke Duessa for my Dame, And in the witch unweeting joyd long time, Ne ever wist but that she was the same,° Till on a day (that day is every Prime, 355 When Witches wont do penance for their crime) I chaunst to see her in her proper hew,° Bathing her selfe in origane and thyme: A filthy foule old woman I did vew, That ever to have toucht her I did deadly rew. 360
Her neather parts misshapen, monstruous, Were hidd in water, that I could not see. But they did seeme more foule and hideous, Then womans shape man would beleeve to bee. Thensforth from her most beastly companie 365 I gan refraine, in minde to slip away, Soone as appeard safe opportunitie: For danger great, if not assur'd decay, I saw before mine eyes, if I were knowne to stray.
The divelish hag by chaunges of my cheare° 370 Perceiv'd my thought, and drownd in sleepie night,° With wicked herbs and ointments did besmeare My body all, through charms and magicke might, That all my senses were bereaved quight: Then brought she me into this desert waste, 375 And by my wretched lovers side me pight, Where now enclosd in wooden wals full faste, Banisht from living wights, our wearie dayes we waste.
But how long time, said then the Elfin knight, Are you in this misformed house to dwell? 380 We may not chaunge (quoth he) this evil plight, Till we be bathed in a living well;° That is the terme prescribed by the spell. O how, said he, mote I that well out find, That may restore you to your wonted well? 385 Time and suffised fates to former kynd Shall us restore, none else from hence may us unbynd.