With modest and with mirthful talk this while,

  Seated about the fire, they feed the ear;

  And in this way the weary time beguile

  Till they are heartened with more solid cheer.

  If new or ancient were his castle's style,

  (Bradamant asks the courteous cavalier)

  By whom begun, and how it took its rise?

  And thus that castellain to her replies.