What is "countenaunce"

Usage examples of "countenaunce".

She turning backe with ruefull countenaunce,Cride, Mercy mercy Sir vouchsafe to showOn silly Dame, subiect to hard mischaunce,And to your mighty will.

Then stepped forth the goodly royall Mayd,And on the ground her selfe prostrating low,With sober countenaunce thus to him sayd.

His carriage was full comely and vpright,His countenaunce demure and temperate,But yet so sterne and terrible in sight,That cheard his friends, and did his foes amate:He was an Elfin borne of noble state,And mickle worship in his natiue land.

Whilest she her selfe thus busily did frame,Seemely to entertaine her new-come guest,Newes hereof to her other sisters came,Who all this while were at their wanton rest,Accourting each her friend with lauish fest:They were two knights of perelesse puissance,And famous far abroad for warlike gest,Which to these Ladies loue did countenaunce,And to his mistresse each himselfe stroue to aduaunce.

Therewith all suddeinly he seemd enraged,And threatned death with dreadfull countenaunce,As if their liues had in his hand beene gaged.

Hardy Elfe,That darest vew my direfull countenaunce,I read thee rash, and heedlesse of thy selfe,To trouble my still seate, and heapes of pretious pelfe.

Then forth came Artegall out of his tent,All arm'd to point, and first the Lists did enter:Soone after eke came she, with fell intent,And countenaunce fierce, as hauing fully bent her,That battels vtmost triall to aduenter.

Which th'other seeing, gan his course relent,And vaunted speare eftsoones to disaduaunce,As if he naught but peace and pleasure ment,Now falne into their fellowship by chance,Whereat they shewed curteous countenaunce.