Canto II [paragraphs 1-30]
Redcrosse encounters and slays Sansfoy, a Saracen knight, who is
travelling in the company of Duessa masquerading as Fidessa. The knight
and (false) lady rest under a tree which claims to be a man (Fradubio)
betrayed and imprisoned by Duessa.
Canto III [paragraphs 1-9, 24-44]
Una, seeking her lost knight, finds a champion in a fierce lion. Together
they take refuge with a mother and daughter who represent blindness to the
truth. The lion kills the daughter's "suitor" Kirkrapine. Archimago,
disguised as Redcrosse, presents himself to Una but is almost immediately
defeated in combat (and exposed) by Sansloy, brother to Sansfoy. Sansloy
proceeds to slay the lion and carry off Una.
Canto V [1-27, 45-53]
Redcrosse strikes down Sansjoy, who is then hidden in a cloud by a god.
Duessa flies to the land of Night and convinces her to retrieve the
wounded knight, her true love, and take him to Hell to be healed by
Aesculapius. Meanwhile Redcrosse has fled the castle of Pride, leaving
her behind.
Canto VI [paragraphs 1-19, 33-48]
Una is saved from the lust of Sansloy by a troupe of fawns and satyrs, who
take her to live with them, though they prove unteachable. A rough, but
more receptive, half- breed, Satyrane, rescues her from the sylvan company
and travels with her until they encounter a pilgrim (Archimago) who tells
them of witnessing the death of Redcrosse at the hand of Sansloy. The
pilgrim then guides them to Sansloy, who engages Satyrane in battle. Una
flees, pursued by Archimago.
Canto VII [all]
Duessa in the guise of Fidessa catches up with Redcrosse by a stream which
is polluted and from which he drinks. Redcrosse, weakened, now faces the
giant Orgoglio (another form of Pride), who takes the knight as prisoner
and Duessa as mate. Redcrosse's loyal Dwarf, with the knight's armor,
meets Una and tells her of all his adventures. They are befriended by
Prince Arthur himself, and Una recounts the history of her woes. Arthur
promises to aid her.
Canto VIII [all]
Arriving at the giant's castle, Arthur's squire blows a blast on his horn
that causes all the doors to fly open. Duessa and Orgoglio attack Arthur,
who, hardpressed, is saved by the clear light of his diamond shield. His
squire takes Duessa prisoner; Arthur frees Redcrosse from his dungeon.
They strip Duessa, revealing her monstrous nature, and let her go.
Canto IX [all]
Arthur tells of his youth and his love for (the vision of) the Queene of
Faeries, Gloriana. They exchange gifts and part. Redcrosse intercepts a
knight fleeing from Despair and demands he return with him to confront the
villain. Despair tempts Redcrosse, but Una intervenes angrily. Despair
hangs himself but cannot die.
Canto X [none]
Una brings her weakened knight to Dame Caelia and her daughters Fidelia
(Faith), Speranza (Hope), and Charissa (Love). Una puts Redcrosse to
school to learn wisdom; in addition, he is treated by the physician
Patience; finally he meets Charissa, who leads him to a "holy Hospitall,"
where he learns true holiness. From thence he ascends the mountain of
Contemplation with an ancient guide, where he sees (but cannot yet enter)
the City of God. The old man tells him of his destiny and of his birth.
Canto XI [all]
The approach of Una and Redcrosse to the tower
where her parents are held captive arouses the dragon. In an epic battle,
Redcrosse wounds the dragon under one wing, but the dragon succeeds in
casting him into a well, from which he is "reborn." In a second battle,
nearly overcome, the knight is revived by water flowing from the Tree of
Life. In the third battle, the knight thrusts deep into the dragon's open
maw, and the beast expires.
Canto XII [all]
The court, now freed, pour out of the castle to see the dragon dead, and
then they feast. "Fidessa" sends a messenger (Archimago) to prevent the
betrothal of Redcrosse with Una, but all in vain. The magician is thrown
into the dungeon, and the betrothal [engagement] of Holiness and Truth is
solemnized.
THE END
Rev 1/98