So dreadfully his hundred tongues did bray,
And euermore those hags them selues did paine,
To sharpen him, and their owne cursed tongs did straine.
And still among most bitter wordes they spake, xlii
Most shamefull, most vnrighteous, most vntrew,
That they the mildest man aliue would make
Forget his patience, and yeeld vengeaunce dew
To her, that so false sclaunders[397] at him threw.
And more to make them pierce and wound more deepe,
She with the sting, which in her vile tongue grew,