Zenobia , of Palmyrie the queen, 4096 As writë Persians of her nobléss, So worthy was in armës, and so keen, That no wight passed her in hardiness, Nor in lineage, nor other gentleness. 4097 Of the king’s blood of Perse 4098 is she descended; I say not that she haddë most fairnéss, But of her shape she might not he amended.

From her childhood I findë that she fled Office of woman, and to woods she went, And many a wildë hartë’s blood she shed With arrows broad that she against them sent; She was so swift, that she anon them hent. 4099 And when that she was older, she would kill Lions, leopárds, and bearës all to-rent, And in her armës wield them at her will.