Thanks, Andrew, I apologize for screwing up the quotation from the
FQ--but I am not, I think, responsible for all of the question marks
which appeared in the email I got from Sidney-Spenser.

The reason I think it is Redcrosse who advances his spear is that I
read "the knight" to be contrasted with "her knight," i. e., Sans Foy.

Jim

On 3/2/12, andrew zurcher <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear Jim,
>
> To my mind, the knight advancing the spear here is Sans foy. I take it
> that this is (among other things) a bit of sexual innuendo -- Duessa
> dallies with and excites him, and he advances his spear. So I think Sans
> foy has provoked the fight, and Duessa has (seeing his hardiment)
> encouraged him.
>
> 'Spear' can be used of a lance in this period, so I think Sans foy is just
> being sure to couch his weapon (as it were) before Redcrosse has a chance
> to do the same.
>
> andrew
>
> Andrew Zurcher
> Queens' College
> Cambridge CB3 9ET
> United Kingdom
> +44 1223 335 572
>
> hast hast post hast for lyfe
>
> On Fri, 2 Mar 2012, James Broaddus wrote:
>
>> Dear Colleagues,
>>
>> I have a question about the Redcrosse Knight?s encounter with the
>> Saracen shortly after he abandoned Una.
>>
>> In canto 2, we shift from Archimago?s pursuit of Una to Redcrosse, who
>> has ?chaunst to meete vpon the way?/ A faithlesse Sarazin all armde to
>> point? and accompanied by his lady, who is entertaining ?her lover?
>> ?With faire disport and courting dalliance?:
>>
>> 14.   But when she saw the knight his speare aduaunce,
>> 	   Shee soone left off her mirth and wanton play,
>> 	   And bad her knight addresse him to the fray:
>> 	   His foe was nigh at hand. He prickte with pride
>>           And hope to winne his Ladies hearte that day,
>> 	   Forth spurred fast: adowne his coursers side
>> 	The red bloud rickling staind  the way, as he did ride.
>>
>> 15.	The knight of the Redcrosse when him he spide,
>> 	   Spurring so hote with rage dispiteous,
>> 	   Gan fairely couch his speare, and towards ride:
>>
>> My question is with the phrase, ?the knight his speare advaunce,?
>> (14.1). If advancing one?s spear indicates only that one is carrying a
>> spear, or something of the sort, Fidessa/Duessa is the one who
>> precipitates the combat.
>>
>> On the other hand, if advancing one?s spear is a specific challenging
>> move in knightly combat, Redcrosse initiates it.
>>
>> I googled the appropriate words and also looked up ?advance? in the
>> OED and came up empty.
>>
>> Hamilton does not annotate ?his speare aduaunce?; but, with good
>> authority, he annotates ?fairely couch his speare? (15.3) to mean
>> ?expertly place his spear in its rest and lower it for attack.?
>>
>> If Redcrosse?s first move is the couching of his spear, Sans Foy,
>> incited by Fidessa/Duessa, is the aggressor.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for any help you can provide,
>>
>> Jim Broaddus
>>
>