32 Philo M. Buck, Jr. 



Book V, Canto ix, he seems to be Westmoreland or some other 

 person connected with the Northern Rebellion, but here he is a 

 noble knight with but one blemish ; he is too free in his loves. 



In Cantos ix-x Paridell and Satyrane come to the castle of 

 Malbecco, a miserly, jealous old curmudgeon, who refuses them 

 admittance. While they are debating what to do, Britomart rides 

 up and demands admittance. Paridell not liking her imperious- 

 ness, and not knowing her sex, jousts with her and is promptly 

 overthrown. They are however reconciled by Satyrane, and after 

 a show of force, all are admitted to the castle. During the even- 

 ing, Paridell wins the love of Hellenore, Malbecco's beautiful 

 wife, and before many days runs away with her and a large part 

 of her husband's wealth. Soon, however, he tires of her and 

 leaves her with the satyrs, where she is found by her husband. 

 During the search for his wife, Malbecco is further duped and 

 plundered by Braggadocchio and Trompart ; and disgraced and 

 impoverished, he attempts self-destruction, only to fail in that, 

 and becomes the symbol of jealousy. 



There is some very interesting historical allusion here. I take 

 Paridell for another view of Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford. 

 In the sonnet addressed to him, Spenser says that in the poem 

 will be found his famous name and ancestry. Paridell declares 

 his name and ancestors to Britomart in Canto ix, St. 36-37. The 

 ancestor Paris, suggests French extraction, and the de Veres 

 were almost the only noble family that could trace their line 

 unbroken to the French of the 12th Century.*"* Oxford was a 

 poet. Paridell is called " the learned lover." 



" And otherwhyles with amorous delights 

 And pleasing toyes he would her entertaine ; 

 Now singing sweetly to surprize her sprights, 

 Now making laves of love and lovers paine, 

 Bransles, ballads, virelayes,,and verses vaine; 

 Oft purposes, oft riddles, he devysd, 

 And thousands like which flowed in his braine, 

 With which he fed her fancy, and entysd 

 To take to his new love, and leave her old despysd." 



"For the story of the life of the Earl of Oxford referred to here see 

 Hume, Great Lord Burleigh. 



190 



