less a champion
defeats Grantorto in duel. Thereupon Artegall swears to champion
Irena's cause, but, on the way to keep his promise, pauses to rescue a
distressed knight (Henry IV. of France), to whom he restores his lady
Flourdelis, whom Grantorto is also trying to secure.

Artegall, the champion, reaching the sea-shore, at last finds a ship
ready to sail for Ireland, where he lands, although Grantorto has
stationed troops along the shore to prevent his doing so. These
soldiers are soon scattered by Talus' flail, and Artegall, landing,
forces Grantorto to bite the dust. Having thus freed Irena, he
replaces her on her throne and restores order in her dominions, before
Gloriana summons him back to court.

On the way thither Sir Artegall is beset by the hags Envy and
Detraction, who are so angry with him for freeing Irena that they not
only attack him themselves, but turn loose upon him the Blatant Beast
(Slander). Although Talus begs to annihilate this infamous trio with
his dreaded flail, Artegall decrees they shall live, and, heedless of
their threats hurries on to report success to his beloved mistress.

BOOK VI. LEGEND OF SIR CALIDORE, OR OF COURTESY

Sir Calidore, who, in the poem, impersonates Courtesy (or Sir Philip
Sidney), now meets Artegall, declaring the queen has despatched him to
track and slay the Blatant Beast,--an offspring of Cerberus and
Chimera,--whose bite inflicts a deadly wound. When Artegall reports
having recently met that thousand-tongued monster, Calidore spurs off,
and soon sees a squire bound to a tree. Pausing to free this captive,
he learns that this unfortunate has been illtreated by a neighboring
villain, who exacts the hair of every woman and beard of every man
passing his castle, because his lady-love wishes a cloak woven of
female hair and adorned with a fringe of beards. It was because the
captive had vainly tried to rescue a poor lady from this tribute that
he had been bound to this tree. On hearing this report, Sir Calidore
decides to end such doings forever, and riding up to the castle pounds
on its gates until a servant opens them wide. Forcing his way into the
castle, Sir Calidore slays all who oppose him, and thus reaches the
villain, with whom he fights until he compels him to surrender and
promise never to exact such tribute again.

Having settled this affair entirely to his satisfaction, Sir Calidore
rides on until he meets a youth on foot, bravely fighting a knight on