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xlviii INTRODUCTION
But Arthur, the stronger and more controlled nature, has no temptations
like those of Timias, and his friendship with Amoret and Emilia,
to which he is faithful under the inevitable revilings of the basest slander,
casts no shadow on the love for Glonana to which his life is devoted
So comprehensive a treatment of love and friendship would obviously
have been impossible under the original scheme, and the intricate plot,
attacked by critics as a series of irrelevant episodes, is fully justified by
the deeper purpose of the poet
In the fifth book, of Justice, Spenser reverts once more to the simpler
plan with which he had started , for the interest is never diverted from
the adventures of the main actors, Sir Artegall and Prince Arthur, though
Bntomart, as Artegall's lover, and the central figure of Books III—V,
still plays a prominent part But the peculiar nature of the theme seemed
to demand a special treatment, and the allegory, which is to present the
character necessary to him who would be his sovereign's ' instrument',
and to expound Spenser's whole theory of government, finds its substance
, not in legend or romance, but in those three great events which led up
'to the final clash with the power of Spain—the suppression of rebellion
in Ireland, encouraged and supported by Philip, the execution of Mary
Queen of Scots, and the war in the Netherlands The first of these, of
which Spenser had himself personal experience, bulks the largest, and
the several adventures which befall Sir Artegall are vivid illustrations of
points which he has emphasized in his prose indictment of the present
state of Ireland. Before the Knight of Justice can subdue Grandtorto,
the great enemy who keeps Irena in subjection, he meets with lawless
outrage and deceit in Sir Sangher, with the venality of Pollente and
Munera, by whom justice is bought and sold, with the misunderstandings
of a mob ever ready to stir up civil faction at the specious bidding of the
Giant of demagogy, with the insolence of Braggadocchio, who takes to
himself credit for the deeds done by the knight that he defames Hardest
of all he must subdue Malengin, type of that guile which will cross his
path at every turn, and is capable of assuming any form if only it can
elude his vigilance. And if for a moment he give way to womanish pity,
however noble may seem to be its promptings, his work will be undone,
and he will himself be enslaved to the Radegund whom he should destroy
True Justice ' had need have mightie hands'
For vame it is to deeme of things aright,
And makes wrong doers justice to deride,
Unlesse it be performed with dreadlesse might (v iv. I )
Sir Artegall must have at his right hand Talus,
made of yron mould,
Immoueable, resistlesse, without end (v i 12)
Even after rebellion has been crushed and Grandtorto is destroyed, his
task is not complete There is still need of a wise but relentless government,