Having contrived to escape, Talus informs Britomart that her lover is
a prisoner, whereupon she sets out to rescue him, meeting with sundry
extraordinary adventures by the way, in which she triumphs, thanks to
her magic spear.

While spending a peaceful night in the Temple of Isis, Britomart is
finally favored with a vision, inspired by which she challenges
Radigonde, who in the midst of the encounter turns to flee. But
Britomart pursues her into her stronghold, whence she manages to
rescue Artegall and, after setting him free, bids him continue his
adventurous quest.

Sir Artegall and his faithful squire soon after see a maiden flee
before two knights, but, before they can overtake her, they notice how
a new-comer slays one pursuer while the other turns back. Urged by the
maiden, Artegall kills the second persecutor, and only then discovers
that the knight who first came to her rescue is Arthur. They two, by
questioning the maid, learn she is a servant of Mercilla (another
personification of Elizabeth), and that her mistress is sorely beset
by the Soldan, to whom she has recently gone to carry a message. On
her return, the poor maid was pursued by two Saracen knights, who
were determined to secure her as a prize. Hearing this, Artegall
proposes to assume the armor of one of the dead knights, and thus
disguised to convey the maiden back to the Soldan's court. Arthur is
to follow under pretence of ransoming the captive, knowing that his
offer will be refused so insolently that he will have an excuse to
challenge the Soldan. All this comes true, and thanks to his magic
shield Arthur triumphs. The Soldan's wife, learning that her husband
has succumbed, now proposes to take her revenge by slaying the captive