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, Sir Guyon is startled by loud shrieks, and, hastening
in the direction whence they proceed, discovers a wounded lady and a
dead knight. Close beside the lady is a young babe, whose innocent
hands are dabbling in his parent's blood. On questioning the woman,
Sir Guyon learns that her husband has been bewitched by Acrasia,--or
Pleasure,--who bore him off to the Bower of Bliss, a place where she
detains her captives, feeding them on sweets until their manly courage
is gone. On learning her husband had fallen into the power of this
enchantress, the lady had sought the Bower of Bliss and by dint of
wifely devotion had rescued her spouse. But, even as they left, the
witch bestowed upon them a magic cup, in which little suspecting its
evil powers, the wife offered water to her husband. No sooner had he
drunk than blood gushed from his mouth and he died, whereupon, frantic
at having unwittingly slain the man she loved, the lady had dealt
herself a mortal wound with his sword.

Scarcely had the sufferer finished this account when she sank back
lifeless, so Sir Guyon and the palmer, after burying the parents,