_Prince Arthur heares of Florimell:
2 three fosters Timias wound,
Belphebe finds him almost dead,
4 and reareth out of +sownd+._
4 _sownd_ > _swound 1609; _sownd_ is not a misprint, but an
alternative spelling of _swowne, swoune_ etc. Cf. 601.34:2_
1 Prince Arthur hears of Florimell:
2 three fosters Timias wound,
fosters > foresters
3 Belphoebe finds him almost dead,
4 and rears out of sound.
sound > swoon
305.1
WOnder it is to see, in diuerse minds,
2 How diuersly loue doth his pageants play,
And shewes his powre in variable kinds:
4 The baser wit, whose idle thoughts alway
Are wont to cleaue vnto the lowly clay,
6 It stirreth vp to sensuall desire,
And in lewd slouth to wast his carelesse day:
8 But in braue sprite it kindles goodly fire,
That to all high desert and honour doth aspire.
1 Wonder it is to see, in diverse minds,
Wonder > [A] marvel
2 How diversely love does his pageants play,
3 And shows his power in variable kinds:
variable > differing, diverse
kinds > natures; kinds, sorts, fashions
4 The baser wit (whose idle thoughts alway
wit > mind, intelligence
alway > always
5 Are wont to cleave to the lowly clay)
wont > accustomed
clay > [flesh, after _Gen._ 2.7]
6 It stirs up to sensual desire,
7 And in lewd sloth to waste his careless day:
8 But in brave spirit it kindles goodly fire,
brave > splendid, fine
9 That to all high desert and honour does aspire.
desert > merit, reward
305.2
Ne suffereth it vncomely idlenesse,
2 In his free thought to build her sluggish nest:
Ne suffereth it thought of vngentlenesse,
4 Euer to creepe into his noble brest,
But to the highest and the worthiest
6 Lifteth it vp, that else would lowly fall:
It lets not fall, it lets it not to rest:
8 It lets not scarse this Prince to +breath+ at all,
But to his first poursuit him forward still doth call.
8 breath > breathe _1609_
1 Nor suffers it uncomely idleness
suffers it > [does love permit]
2 In his free thought to build her sluggish nest:
his > [the brave spirit's]
3 Nor suffers it thought of ungentleness
ungentleness > discourtesy; ignobility
4 Ever to creep into his noble breast,
5 But to the highest and the worthiest
6 Lifts it up, that else would lowly fall:
it > [his free thought]
else > otherwise
7 It lets not fall, it lets it not to rest:
8 It lets not scarce this prince to breathe at all,
scarce this prince > [this prince scarcely]
9 But to his first pursuit him forward still does call.
305.3
Who long time wandred through the forrest wyde,
2 To finde some issue thence, till +that at+ last
He met a Dwarfe, that seemed terrifyde
4 With some late perill, which he hardly past,
Or other accident, which him aghast;
6 Of whom he asked, whence he lately came,
And whither now he trauelled so fast:
8 For sore he swat, and running through that same
Thicke forest, was bescratcht, and both his feet nigh lame.
2 that at > at the _1609_
1 Who long time wandered through the forest wide,
2 To find some issue thence, till at last
issue > way out
3 He met a dwarf, that seemed terrified
4 With some late peril which he hardly passed,
With > By
late > recent
hardly > with difficulty [had]
5 Or other accident which him agast;
accident > event; disaster
agast > [had] terrified (esp. with superstitious fear)
6 Of whom he asked, whence he lately came,
7 And whither now he travelled so fast:
8 For sore he sweat, and running through that same
sweat > sweated
9 Thick forest, was bescratched, and both his feet nigh lame.
bescratched > scratched all over (the prefix is also an intensive)
nigh > [were nigh]
305.4
Panting for breath, and almost out of hart,
2 The Dwarfe him answerd, Sir, ill mote I stay
To tell the same. I lately did depart
4 From Faery court, where I haue many a day
Serued a gentle Lady of great sway,
6 And high +accompt+ though out all Elfin land,
Who lately left the same, and tooke this way:
8 Her now I seeke, and if ye vnderstand
Which way she fared hath, good Sir tell out of hand.
6 accompt > account _1609_
1 Panting for breath, and almost out of heart,
heart > mind; courage
2 The dwarf him answered, "Sir, ill might I stay
3 To tell the same. I lately did depart
4 From Faery court, where I have many a day
5 Served a gentle lady of great sway,
gentle > noble; generous, courteous
sway > influence
6 And high account throughout all Elfin land,
account > importance
7 Who lately left the same, and took this way:
8 Her now I seek, and if you understand
understand > know
9 Which way she fared has, good sir, tell out of hand."
out of hand > straight away
305.5
What mister wight (said he) and how arayd?
2 Royally clad (quoth he) in cloth of gold,
As meetest may beseeme a noble mayd;
4 Her faire lockes in rich circlet be enrold,
+A+ fairer wight did neuer Sunne behold,
6 And on a Palfrey rides more white then snow,
Yet she her selfe is whiter manifold:
8 The surest signe, whereby ye may her know,
Is, that she is the fairest wight aliue, I trow.
5 A > And _1596, 1609_
1 "What mister wight," said he, "and how arrayed?"
mister wight > sort of person (mister = occupation; hence: class,
sort)
arrayed > attired
2 "Royally clad," quoth he, "in cloth of gold,
3 As meetest may beseem a noble maid;
meetest > most fittingly
beseem > suit
4 Her fair locks in rich circlet be enrolled:
rich > [a rich]
circlet > (Two meanings are possible. Either Florimell's hair is
coiled in a circle, or she wears a golden or jewelled circlet in
which her hair is coiled)
be > are
5 A fairer wight did never sun behold,
wight > creature, woman
sun > [the sun: indifferently the subject or object of "behold"]
6 And on a palfrey rides more white than snow,
palfrey > {Saddle-horse for ladies}
7 Yet she herself is whiter manifold:
manifold > many times over
8 The surest sign whereby you may her know
9 Is that she is the fairest wight alive, I trow."
trow > am of the opinion, think, believe (assertively)
305.6
Now certes swaine (said he) such one I weene,
2 Fast flying through this forest from her fo,
A foule ill fauoured foster, I haue seene;
4 Her selfe, well as I might, I reskewd tho,
But could not stay; so fast she did foregoe,
6 Carried away with wings of speedy feare.
Ah dearest God (quoth he) that is great woe,
8 And wondrous ruth to all, that shall it heare.
But can ye read Sir, how I may her find, or +where?+
9 where? > where. _1590, 1596_
1 "Now certes, swain," said he, "such one, I ween,
certes > assuredly
swain > young man
ween > believe, think
2 Fast flying through this forest from her foe
flying > fleeing
3 (A foul ill-favoured foster) I have seen;
ill-favoured foster > ugly forester
4 Herself, well as I might, I rescued tho,
tho > then [when I saw her]
5 But could not stay; so fast she did forego,
stay > detain
forego > go before [me]
6 Carried away with wings of speedy fear."
7 "Ah dearest God," quoth he, "that is great woe,
8 And wondrous ruth to all that shall it hear.
ruth > sorrow, calamity; occasion for regret
9 But can you read, sir, how I may her find, or where?"
read > declare
305.7
Perdy me leuer were to weeten that,
2 (Said he) then ransome of the richest knight,
Or all the good that euer yet I gat:
4 But froward fortune, and too forward Night
Such happinesse did, maulgre, to me spight,
6 And fro me reft both life and light attone.
But Dwarfe aread, what is that Lady bright,
8 That through this forest wandreth thus alone;
For of her errour straunge I haue great ruth and mone.
1 "Pardie me liefer were to weet that,"
Pardie > Truly; "by God"
me liefer > dearer to me
weet > know
2 Said he, "than ransom of the richest knight,
3 Or all the good that ever yet I got:
good > property, money
4 But froward fortune, and too forward Night
froward > perverse; adverse; evilly disposed
Night > (Nox: see 304.55 ff.)
5 Such happiness did, maugre, to me spite,
maugre > _here, something like:_ worst luck (this word is used by
Spenser more or less catachr. as a general imprecation or
indication of ill-will)
spite > begrudge
6 And from me reft both life and light at one.
reft > took away
at one > together (SUS)
7 But, dwarf, aread, what is that lady bright,
aread > declare, make known
bright > beautiful
8 That through this forest wanders thus alone;
9 For of her error strange I have great ruth and moan."
error > wandering
strange > {Foreign, in unknown regions}
ruth > pity, sorrow
moan > grief, state of grief
305.8
That Lady is (quoth he) where so she bee,
2 The bountiest virgin, and most debonaire,
That euer liuing eye I weene did see;
4 Liues none this day, that may with her compare
In stedfast chastitie and vertue rare,
6 The goodly ornaments of beautie bright;
And is ycleped _Florimell_ the faire,
8 Faire _Florimell_ belou'd +of many+ a knight,
Yet she loues none but one, that _Marinell_ is hight.
8 of many > of a many _1596_
1 "That lady is," quoth he, "whereso she be,
whereso > wherever
2 The bountiest virgin, and most debonair,
bountiest > ?most virtuous, most worthy (this word is not in _OED_)
debonair > gentle, meek; gracious; courteous; affable
3 That ever living eye I ween did see;
ween > think
4 Lives none this day that may with her compare
5 In steadfast chastity and virtue rare,
6 The goodly ornaments of beauty bright;
7 And is cleped Florimell the fair,
cleped > called
8 Fair Florimell, beloved of many a knight,
9 Yet she loves none but one, that Marinell is hight.
hight > named
305.9
A Sea-nymphes sonne, that _Marinell_ is hight,
2 Of my deare Dame is loued dearely well;
In other none, but him, she sets delight,
4 All her delight is set on _Marinell_;
But he sets nought at all by _Florimell_:
6 For Ladies loue his mother long ygoe
Did him, they say, forwarne through sacred spell.
8 But fame now flies, that of a forreine foe
He is yslaine, which is the ground of all our woe.
1 "A sea-nymph's son, that Marinell is hight,
sea-nymph > (See 304.19:3 ff.)
hight > called
2 Of my dear dame is loved dearly well;
Of > By
dame > lady
3 In other none, but him she sets delight,
In other none, but him > [In no one else but him]
4 All her delight is set on Marinell;
5 But he sets naught at all by Florimell:
6 For ladies' love his mother long ago
7 Did him, they say, forewarn through sacred spell.
forewarn > ?give warning of (see 304.25-6; this use is not in _OED_)
sacred > {Holy by association with a god (i.e. Proteus); also:
accursed, after Latin _sacer_}
spell > discourse, talk; _hence:_ prophecy
8 But fame now flies that of a foreign foe
fame > report, rumour (Latin _fama_)
of > by
9 He is slain, which is the ground of all our woe.
ground > basis, cause
305.10
Fiue dayes there be, since he (they say) was slaine,
2 And foure, since _Florimell_ the Court for-went,
And vowed neuer to returne againe,
4 Till him aliue or dead she did inuent.
Therefore, faire Sir, for loue of knighthood gent,
6 And honour of trew Ladies, if ye may
By your good counsell, or bold hardiment,
8 Or succour her, or me direct the way;
Do one, or other good, I you most humbly pray.
1 "Five days there be, since he (they say) was slain,
2 And four, since Florimell the court forwent,
forwent > forsook, left (but cf. 301.15-16, which precedes
Marinell's encounter with Britomart; 308.46 agrees with the
dwarf's version)
3 And vowed never to return again
4 Till him alive or dead she did invent.
invent > find
5 Therefore, fair sir, for love of knighthood gent,
gent > high-born, noble
6 And honour of true ladies, if you may
7 By your good counsel, or bold hardiment,
hardiment > hardihood, audacity
8 Or succour her, or me direct the way;
Or > Either
me > [to me]
9 Do one, or other good, I you most humbly pray.
good > [good deed]
pray > implore
305.11
So may +you+ gaine to you full great renowme,
2 Of all good Ladies through the world so wide,
And haply in her hart find highest rowme,
4 Of whom ye seeke to be most magnifide:
At least eternall meede shall you abide.
6 To whom the Prince; Dwarfe, comfort to thee take,
For till thou tidings learne, what her betide,
8 I here auow thee neuer to forsake.
Ill weares he armes, that nill them vse for Ladies sake.
1 you > ye _1590_
1 "So may you gain to you full great renown,
So > Thus
full > very, exceedingly
2 Of all good ladies through the world so wide,
3 And haply in her heart find highest room,
haply > perhaps
room > place
4 Of whom you seek to be most magnified:
Of > By
magnified > praised; _hence:_ highly regarded
5 At least eternal meed shall you abide."
eternal > [heavenly]
meed > reward
abide > await, remain
6 To whom the Prince: "Dwarf, comfort to you take,
7 For till you tidings learn what her betide,
betide > befell
8 I here avow you never to forsake.
avow > take a vow
9 Ill wears he arms, that nill them use for ladies' sake."
Ill > Badly, evilly
nill > will not
305.12
So with the Dwarfe he backe return'd againe,
2 To seeke his Lady, where he mote her find;
But by the way he greatly gan complaine
4 The want of his good Squire late left behind,
For whom he wondrous pensiue grew in mind,
6 For +doubt+ of daunger, which mote him betide;
For him he loued aboue all mankind,
8 Hauing him trew and +faithfull+ euer tride,
And bold, as euer Squire that waited by knights side.
6 doubt > douht _1596_
8 faithfull > faithfall _1596_
1 So with the dwarf he back returned again,
2 To seek his lady, where he might her find;
where > wherever
3 But by the way he greatly gan complain
by > on
gan complain > did lament
4 The want of his good squire late left behind,
want > lack
squire > attendant; knight's attendant
late > recently
5 For whom he wondrous pensive grew in mind,
pensive > anxious
6 For doubt of danger which might him betide;
doubt > fear
betide > befall
7 For him he loved above all mankind,
8 Having him true and faithful ever tried,
tried > proved
9 And bold, as ever squire that waited by knight's side.
waited > attended; kept watch
305.13
Who all this while full hardly was assayd
2 Of deadly daunger, which to him betid;
For whiles his Lord pursewd that noble Mayd,
4 After that foster fowle he fiercely rid,
To bene auenged of the shame, he did
6 To that faire Damzell: Him he chaced long
Through the thicke woods, wherein he would haue hid
8 His shamefull head from his auengement +strong,+
And oft him threatned death for his outrageous wrong.
8 strong, > strong. _1596_
1 Who all this while full hardly was assayed
full hardly > very severely
assayed > assailed
2 Of deadly danger, which to him betide;
Of > By
to him betide > befell him
3 For while his lord pursued that noble maid,
4 After that foster foul he fiercely rode,
5 To be avenged of the shame he did
shame > dishonour
6 To that fair damsel: him he chased long
7 Through the thick woods, wherein he would have hidden
8 His shameful head from his avengement strong,
avengement > vengeance
9 And oft him threatened death for his outrageous wrong.
threatened > [threatened with]
305.14
Nathlesse the villen sped himselfe so well,
2 Whether through swiftnesse of his speedy +beast;+
Or knowledge of those woods, where he did dwell,
4 That shortly he from daunger was releast,
And out of sight escaped at the least;
6 Yet not escaped from the dew reward
Of his bad deeds, which dayly he increast,
8 Ne ceased not, till him oppressed hard
The heauy plague, that for such leachours is prepard.
2 beast; > beast, _1609_
1 Natheless the villein sped himself so well
Natheless > Nevertheless
villein > villain; serf (if the legalistic meaning of "swain" is not
intended at 304.49:2)
2 (Whether through swiftness of his speedy beast
3 Or knowledge of those woods where he did dwell)
4 That shortly he from danger was released,
5 And out of sight escaped at the least;
at the least > at any rate, at all events; _some editors gloss this
as_ at the last, at last_: cf. 305.37:9, 305.43:8_
6 Yet not escaped from the due reward
7 Of his bad deeds, which daily he increased,
8 Nor ceased not, till him oppressed hard
oppressed > took by surprise; overwhelmed
9 The heavy plague that for such lechers is prepared.
heavy > grievous
plague > blow, stroke (see 305.23; also, noted by Hamilton (1980),
possibly a reference to venereal disease)
305.15
For soone as he was vanisht out of sight,
2 His coward courage gan emboldned bee,
And cast t'auenge him of that fowle despight,
4 Which he had borne of his bold enimee.
Tho to his brethren came: for they were three
6 Vngratious children of one gracelesse sire,
And vnto them complained, how that he
8 Had vsed bene of that foolehardy Squire;
So them with bitter words he stird to bloudy ire.
1 For, soon as he was vanished out of sight,
soon > [as soon]
2 His coward courage began emboldened be,
courage > heart, spirit
be > [to be]
3 And cast to avenge him of that foul despite
cast > [he] resolved
despite > {Outrage, act of defiance}
4 Which he had borne of his bold enemy.
of > from
5 Tho to his brethren came: for they were three
Tho > Then
brethren > brothers
6 Ungracious children of one graceless sire,
Ungracious > {Lacking in heavenly grace; ungracious}
sire > father
7 And to them complained how he
8 Had used been of that foolhardy squire;
of > by
9 So them with bitter words he stirred to bloody ire.
305.16
Forthwith themselues with their sad instruments
2 Of spoyle and murder they gan arme byliue,
And with him forth into the forest went,
4 To wreake the wrath, which he did earst reuiue
In their sterne brests, on him which late did driue
6 Their brother to reproch and shamefull flight:
For they had vow'd, that neuer he aliue
8 Out of that forest should escape their might;
Vile rancour their rude harts had fild with such despight.
1 Forthwith themselves with their sad instruments
sad > grievous (cf. 105.6:5)
2 Of spoil and murder they gan arm belive,
spoil > plunder, spoliation
gan > did
belive > eagerly, quickly
3 And with him forth into the forest went,
4 To wreak the wrath which he did erst revive
erst > lately
revive > bring into existence; _hence:_ kindle
5 In their stern breasts, on him which late did drive
stern > merciless, cruel; fierce
him > [Timias]
late > recently
6 Their brother to reproach and shameful flight:
7 For they had vowed that never he alive
8 Out of that forest should escape their might;
might > power
9 Vile rancour their rude hearts had fild with such despite.
rude > uncultivated, violent
fild > filled; _or:_ filed, defiled (cf. 105.32:2 etc.)
despite > malice; rage
305.17
Within that wood there was a couert glade,
2 Foreby a narrow foord, to them well knowne,
Through which it was vneath for wight to wade;
4 And now by fortune it was ouerflowne:
By that same way they knew that Squire vnknowne
6 Mote algates passe; for thy themselues they set
There in await, with thicke woods ouer growne,
8 And all the while their malice they did whet
With cruell threats, his passage through the ford to let.
1 Within that wood there was a covert glade,
2 Forby a narrow ford, to them well known,
Forby > Hard by, near
3 Through which it was uneath for wight to wade;
uneath > difficult
wight > person, _hence:_ anyone
4 And now by fortune it was overflowed:
overflowed > flooded
5 By that same way they knew that squire unknown
6 Might algates pass; for-thy themselves they set
Might > Must
algates > anyhow, by any means; _hence:_ surely
for-thy > therefore
7 There in await, with thick woods overgrown,
await > watchfulness; ambush
8 And all the while their malice they did whet
9 With cruel threats, his passage through the ford to let.
let > obstruct, hinder
305.18
It fortuned, as they deuized had,
2 The gentle Squire came ryding that same way,
Vnweeting of their wile and treason bad,
4 And through the ford to passen did assay;
But that fierce foster, which late fled away,
6 Stoutly forth stepping on the further shore,
Him boldly bad his passage there to stay,
8 Till he had made amends, and full restore
For all the damage, which he had him doen afore.
1 It fortuned, as they devised had,
devised > conjectured, surmised
2 The gentle squire came riding that same way,
gentle > noble
3 Unweeting of their wile and treason bad,
Unweeting > Ignorant
wile > deceitfulness, cunning
4 And through the ford to pass did essay;
essay > try
5 But that fierce foster, which late fled away,
late > recently
6 Stoutly forth stepping on the further shore,
Stoutly > Boldly; proudly
7 Him boldly bade his passage there to stay
stay > check
8 Till he had made amends and full restore
restore > restoration, restitution
9 For all the damage which he had him done afore.
afore > before
305.19
With that at him a quiu'ring dart he threw,
2 With so fell force and villeinous despighte,
That through his haberieon the forkehead flew,
4 And through the linked mayles empierced quite,
But had no powre in his soft flesh to bite:
6 That stroke the hardy Squire did sore displease,
But more that him he could not come to smite;
8 For by no meanes the high banke he could sease,
But labour'd long in that deepe ford with vaine disease.
1 With that at him a quivering dart he threw,
2 With so fell force and villainous despite,
so > such
fell > fierce, terrible
despite > malice; rage
3 That through his habergeon the forkhead flew,
habergeon > {Sleeveless coat of chain-mail}
forkhead > barbed head
4 And through the linked mail empierced quite,
empierced > pierced, pierced keenly
5 But had no power in his soft flesh to bite:
6 That stroke the hardy squire did sore displease,
7 But more that him he could not come to smite;
more > [it displeased him more]
8 For by no means the high bank he could seize,
seize > reach, arrive at (an obsolete nautical sense)
9 But laboured long in that deep ford with vain disease.
vain > futile
disease > "dis-ease", distress, torment
305.20
And still the foster with his long bore-speare
2 Him kept from landing at his wished will;
Anone one sent out of the thicket neare
4 A cruell shaft, headed with deadly ill,
And fethered with an vnlucky quill;
6 The wicked steele stayd not, till it did light
In his left thigh, and deepely did it thrill:
8 Exceeding griefe that wound in him empight,
But more that with his foes he could not come to fight.
1 And still the foster with his long boar-spear
still > continually, ever
2 Him kept from landing at his wished will;
3 Anon one sent out of the thicket near
Anon > Soon (catachr.)
4 A cruel shaft, headed with deadly ill,
shaft > arrow
ill > evil; _hence:_ poison
5 And feathered with an unlucky quill;
unlucky > {Mischievous, malicious; causing misfortune}
6 The wicked steel stayed not, till it did light
light > strike, alight
7 In his left thigh, and deeply did it thrill:
thrill > pierce
8 Exceeding grief that wound in him empight,
grief > pain, suffering
empight > implanted
9 But more that with his foes he could not come to fight.
305.21
At last through wrath and vengeaunce making way,
2 He on the bancke arriu'd with mickle paine,
Where the third brother did him sore assay,
4 And droue at him with all his might and maine
A forrest bill, which both his hands did straine;
6 But warily he did auoide the blow,
And with his speare requited him againe,
8 That both his sides were thrilled with the throw,
And a large streame of bloud out of the wound did flow.
1 At last, through wrath and vengeance making way,
2 He on the bank arrived with mickle pain,
mickle > much, great
3 Where the third brother did him sore assay,
assay > assail
4 And drove at him, with all his might and main,
main > strength, power
5 A forest bill, which both his hands did strain;
bill > {Long-bladed implement used for pruning and cutting wood}
strain > clasp
6 But warily he did avoid the blow,
7 And with his spear requited him again,
again > in return (pleonastic, and thus intensive)
8 That both his sides were thrilled with the throw,
That > [So that]
thrilled > pierced
with the throw > by the stroke
9 And a large stream of blood out of the wound did flow.
305.22
He tombling downe, with gnashing teeth did bite
2 The bitter earth, and bad to let him in
Into the balefull house of endlesse night,
4 Where wicked ghosts do waile their former sin.
Tho gan the battell freshly to begin;
6 For nathemore for that spectacle bad,
Did th'other two their cruell vengeaunce blin,
8 But both attonce on both sides him bestad,
And load vpon him layd, his life for to haue had.
1 He, tumbling down, with gnashing teeth did bite
2 The bitter earth, and bade to let him in,
to > [it to]
3 Into the baleful house of endless night,
baleful > deadly, miserable (with possible connotation of hell-fire:
cf. 101.16:7)
4 Where wicked ghosts do wail their former sin.
wail > mourn
5 Tho began the battle freshly to begin;
Tho > Then
6 For nathemore for that spectacle bad
nathemore > not at all
for > [as a result of]
7 Did the other two their cruel vengeance blin,
blin > leave off
8 But both at once on both sides him bestad,
at once > together; simultaneously
bestad > beset (this catachr. use is SUFQ)
9 And load upon him laid, his life for to have had.
305.23
Tho when that villain he auiz'd, which late
2 Affrighted had the fairest _Florimell_,
Full of fiers fury, and indignant hate,
4 To him he turned, and with rigour fell
Smote him so rudely on the Pannikell,
6 That to the chin he cleft his head in twaine:
Downe on the ground his carkas groueling fell;
8 His sinfull soule with desperate disdaine,
Out of her fleshly ferme fled to the place of paine.
1 Tho when that villain he advised, which late
Tho > Then
advised > saw; _hence:_ recognized
late > lately
2 Affrighted had the fairest Florimell,
Affrighted > Terrified
3 Full of fierce fury, and indignant hate,
4 To him he turned, and with rigour fell
rigour fell > terrible violence
5 Smote him so rudely on the pannicle
rudely > violently
pannicle > brain-pan (catachr.)
6 That to the chin he cleft his head in twain:
cleft > split
twain > two
7 Down on the ground his carcase grovelling fell;
grovelling > face-down
8 His sinful soul, with desperate disdain,
disdain > indignation
9 Out of its fleshly farm fled to the place of pain.
farm > (From French _ferme_. A tract of land rented out for
cultivation, hence: temporary abode)
305.24
That seeing now the onely last of three,
2 Who with that wicked shaft him wounded had,
Trembling with horrour, as that did foresee
4 The fearefull end of his auengement sad,
Through which he follow should his brethren bad,
6 His bootelesse bow in feeble hand vpcaught,
And therewith shot an arrow at the lad;
8 Which faintly fluttring, scarce his helmet raught,
And glauncing fell to ground, but him annoyed naught.
1 That seeing now, the only last of three,
only > one; solitary
2 Who with that wicked shaft him wounded had,
shaft > arrow
3 Trembling with horror (as that did foresee
as > [as one]
4 The fearful end of his avengement sad,
avengement sad > grievous vengeance
5 Through which he follow should his brethren bad),
brethren > brothers
6 His bootless bow in feeble hand upcaught,
bootless > unavailing
7 And therewith shot an arrow at the lad;
therewith > with that; thereupon
8 Which, faintly fluttering, scarce his helmet raught
raught > reached
9 And, glancing, fell to ground, but him annoyed naught.
annoyed > injured; vexed
naught > not at all
305.25
With that he would haue fled into the wood;
2 But _Timias_ him lightly ouerhent,
Right as he entring was into the flood,
4 And strooke at him with force so violent,
That headlesse him into the foord he sent:
6 The carkas with the streame was carried downe,
But th'head fell backeward on the Continent.
8 So mischief fel vpon the meaners crowne;
They three be dead with shame, the Squire liues with renowne.
1 With that he would have fled into the wood;
2 But Timias him lightly overhent,
lightly overhent > quickly overtook
3 Right as he entering was into the flood,
Right > Just, exactly
flood > river; water
4 And struck at him with force so violent,
5 That headless him into the ford he sent:
6 The carcase with the stream was carried down,
7 But the head fell backward on the continent.
continent > {Land, that which contains [the water]; hence: bank,
margin}
8 So mischief fell upon the meaners' crown;
mischief > misfortune, disaster
meaners' > (Or meaner's: they or he who intended mischief)
9 They three be dead with shame: the squire lives with renown.
be > [are]
305.26
He liues, but takes small ioy of his renowne;
2 For of that cruell wound he bled so sore,
That from his steed he fell in deadly swowne;
4 Yet still the bloud forth gusht in so great store,
That he lay wallowd all in his owne gore.
6 Now God thee keepe, thou gentlest Squire aliue,
Else shall thy louing Lord thee see no more,
8 But both of comfort him thou shalt depriue,
And eke thy selfe of honour, which thou didst atchiue.
1 He lives, but takes small joy of his renown;
2 For of that cruel wound he bled so sore
3 That from his steed he fell in deadly swoon;
deadly > death-like; (potentially) fatal
4 Yet still the blood forth gushed, in so great store
so > such
5 That he lay wallowed all in his own gore.
wallowed > prostrate _and hence_ immersed; wallowing
6 Now God you keep, you gentlest squire alive,
keep > preserve
gentlest > noblest
7 Else shall your loving lord you see no more,
Else > Otherwise
your loving lord > [Arthur]
8 But both of comfort him you shall deprive,
9 And eke yourself of honour, which you did achieve.
eke > also
305.27
Prouidence heauenly passeth liuing thought,
2 And doth for wretched mens reliefe make way;
For loe great grace or fortune thither brought
4 Comfort to him, that comfortlesse now lay.
In those same woods, ye well remember may,
6 How that a noble hunteresse did wonne,
She, that base _Braggadochio_ did affray,
8 And made him fast out of the forrest runne;
_Belph{oe}be_ was her name, as faire as _Ph{oe}bus_ sunne.
1 Providence heavenly passes living thought,
Providence heavenly passes > [Heavenly providence surpasses]
2 And does for wretched men's relief make way;
make way > open a passage; remove obstacles
3 For lo great grace, or fortune, thither brought
4 Comfort to him, that comfortless now lay.
comfortless > helpless, desolate
5 In those same woods, you well remember may
6 How a noble huntress did won,
won > dwell
7 She, that base Braggadocchio did affray,
affray > terrify (at 203.34 ff.)
8 And made him fast out of the forest run;
9 Belphoebe was her name, as fair as Phoebus' sun.
305.28
She on a day, as she pursewd the chace
2 Of some wild beast, which with her arrowes keene
She wounded had, the same along did trace
4 By tract of bloud, which she had freshly seene,
To haue besprinckled all the grassy greene;
6 By the great persue, which she there perceau'd,
Well hoped she the beast engor'd had beene,
8 And made more hast, the life to haue bereau'd:
But ah, her expectation greatly was deceau'd.
1 She on a day, as she pursued the chase
2 Of some wild beast, which with her arrows keen
keen > sharp
3 She wounded had, the same along did trace
along > continuously; in a line
4 By tract of blood, which she had freshly seen
tract > track, trace
5 To have besprinkled all the grassy green;
besprinkled > {Sprinkled all over; the prefix is an intensive}
6 By the great persue, which she there perceived,
persue > trail of blood
7 Well hoped she the beast engored had been,
engored > wounded deeply
8 And made more haste, the life to have bereaved:
the life to have bereaved > to have taken the life away [to have
dispatched the wounded beast]
9 But ah, her expectation greatly was deceived.
deceived > proved false
305.29
Shortly she came, whereas that woefull Squire
2 With bloud deformed, lay in deadly swownd:
In whose faire eyes, like lamps of quenched fire,
4 The Christall humour stood congealed rownd;
His locks, like faded leaues fallen to grownd,
6 Knotted with bloud, in bounches rudely ran,
And his sweete lips, on which before that stownd
8 The bud of youth to blossome faire began,
Spoild of their rosie red, were woxen pale and wan.
1 Shortly she came where that woeful squire,
2 With blood deformed, lay in deadly swoon:
deformed > disfigured (cf. 106.45:6)
deadly > death-like; (potentially) fatal
3 In whose fair eyes, like lamps of quenched fire,
4 The crystal humour stood congealed round;
humour > moisture, fluid
5 His locks, like faded leaves fallen to ground,
6 Knotted with blood, in bunches rudely ran,
rudely > roughly, crudely
ran > [flowed, were arranged]
7 And his sweet lips, on which before that stound
stound > {Time of trial or pain; chiefly in northern dialect}
8 The bud of youth to blossom fair began,
fair > fairly, becomingly
9 Spoiled of their rosy red, were waxed pale and wan.
Spoiled > Stripped, deprived
waxed > grown
305.30
Saw neuer liuing eye more heauy sight,
2 That could haue made a rocke of stone to rew,
Or riue in twaine: which when that Lady bright
4 Besides all hope with melting eyes did vew,
All suddeinly abasht she chaunged hew,
6 And with sterne horrour backward gan to start:
But when she +better+ him beheld, she grew
8 Full of soft passion and vnwonted smart:
The point of pitty perced through her tender hart.
7 better > bitter _1590_
1 Saw never living eye more heavy sight,
heavy > distressing; grievous
2 That could have made a rock of stone to rue,
rue > {Regard with pity or compassion}
3 Or rive in twain: which when that lady bright,
rive > split
twain > two
bright > beautiful
4 Beside all hope, with melting eyes did view,
Beside > Past
5 All suddenly abashed, she changed hue,
hue > colour; _also:_ appearance, _hence:_ expression
6 And with stern horror backwards began to start:
stern > grim
7 But when she better him beheld, she grew
8 Full of soft passion and unwonted smart:
unwonted smart > unaccustomed pain
9 The point of pity pierced through her tender heart.
305.31
Meekely she bowed downe, to weete if life
2 Yet in his frosen members did remaine,
And feeling by his pulses beating rife,
4 That the weake soule her seat did yet retaine,
She cast to comfort him with busie paine:
6 His double folded necke she reard vpright,
And rubd his temples, and each trembling vaine;
8 His mayled haberieon she did vndight,
And from his head his heauy burganet did +light.+
9 light. > light, _1596_
1 Meekly she bowed down, to weet if life
weet > find out
2 Yet in his frozen members did remain,
3 And feeling by his pulse's beating rife
rife > manifoldly; copiously; _hence:_ strongly
4 That the weak soul its seat did yet retain,
5 She cast to comfort him with busy pain:
cast > set to, started, decisively started
busy pain > solicitous efforts
6 His double folded neck she reared upright,
7 And rubbed his temples, and each trembling vein;
8 His mailed habergeon she did undight,
habergeon > {Sleeveless coat of chain-mail}
undight > undress; _hence:_ remove
9 And from his head his heavy burgonet did light.
burgonet > {Helmet with a visor; steep cap. Cf. _Muiopotmos_ 73,
208.45:3}
light > unload, relieve of [its] weight; _hence:_ remove
305.32
Into the woods thenceforth in hast she went,
2 To seeke for hearbes, that mote him remedy;
For she of hearbes had great intendiment,
4 Taught of the Nymphe, which from her infancy
Her +nourced+ had in trew Nobility:
6 There, whether it diuine _Tobacco_ were,
Or _Panach{ae}a_, or _Polygony_,
8 She found, and brought it to her patient deare
Who al this while lay bleeding out his hart-bloud neare.
5 nourced > nursed _1609_
1 Into the woods thenceforth in haste she went,
2 To seek for herbs that might him remedy;
remedy > heal, cure
3 For she of herbs had great intendment,
intendment > understanding
4 Taught of the nymph which from her infancy
of > by
nymph > (Nymphs are the minor female divinities with whom the Greeks
peopled all parts of nature: the seas, springs, rivers, grottoes,
trees, mountains)
5 Her nursed had in true nobility:
6 There, whether it divine tobacco were,
tobacco > (Introduced to Europe in 1584 by Spenser's friend,
Raleigh; "diuine" because it was held to have magical properties)
7 Or panace, or polygony,
panace > (A fabulous herb, said to be a cure-all; Spenser uses an
alternative spelling, "panacea", which has a different
derivation)
polygony > (_Polygonum_ sp., esp. snake-root, _P. bistorta_, whose
powdered root, when directly applied to a wound, will stop the
bleeding)
8 She found, and brought it to her patient dear,
dear > dear; grievous
9 Who all this while lay bleeding out his heart-blood near.
near > almost (he is all but bleeding to death)
305.33
The soueraigne weede betwixt two marbles plaine
2 She pownded small, and did in peeces bruze,
And then atweene her lilly handes twaine,
4 Into his wound the iuyce thereof did scruze,
And round about, as she could well it vze,
6 The flesh therewith she suppled and did steepe,
T'abate all spasme, and soke the swelling bruze,
8 And after hauing searcht the intuse deepe,
She with her scarfe did bind the wound from cold to keepe.
1 The sovereign weed betwixt two marbles plain
sovereign > supremely efficacious
marbles plain > [smooth slabs of marble]
2 She pounded small, and did in pieces bruise,
bruise > crush, grind down
3 And then, atween her lily hands twain,
atween > between
lily hands > (Cf. Liagore at 304.41:1, who is also versed in
"leaches craft")
twain > two
4 Into his wound the juice thereof did scruze,
scruze > squeeze
5 And round about, as she could well it use,
as she could well it use > [as well as she could]
6 The flesh therewith she suppled and did steep,
therewith > with that
suppled > softened, mollified
7 To abate all spasm, and soak the swelling bruise;
8 And, after having searched the intuse deep,
searched > examined, probed
intuse > interior [of the wound: from Latin adv. _intus_, within,
into, into the inside]; _or:_ bruise, contusion (from Latin
_intundere_, to bruise; this meaning is given in _OED_ and by
other editors but makes less contextual sense)
9 She with her scarf did bind the wound from cold to keep.
305.34
By this he had sweet life recur'd againe,
2 And groning inly deepe, at last his eyes,
His watry eyes, drizling like deawy raine,
4 He vp gan lift toward the azure skies,
From whence descend all hopelesse remedies:
6 Therewith he sigh'd, and turning him aside,
The goodly Mayd full of diuinities,
8 And gifts of heauenly grace he by him spide,
Her bow and gilden quiuer lying him beside.
1 By this he had sweet life recured again,
By this > By this time
recured > recovered
2 And groaning inly deep, at last his eyes,
inly > inwardly
3 His watery eyes, drizzling like dewy rain,
4 He up gan lift toward the azure skies,
gan > did
5 From whence descend all hopeless remedies:
hopeless > unexpected; despaired of
6 Therewith he sighed, and turning him aside,
Therewith > With that, thereupon
him > [himself]
7 The goodly maid, full of divinities
goodly > beautiful
divinities > divine qualities
8 And gifts of heavenly grace, he by him spied,
9 Her bow and gilden quiver lying him beside.
gilden > golden; gilded
him beside > [beside him]
305.35
Mercy deare Lord (said he) what grace is this,
2 That thou hast shewed to me sinfull wight,
To send thine Angell from her bowre of blis,
4 To comfort me in my distressed plight?
Angell, or Goddesse do I call thee right?
6 What seruice may I do vnto thee meete,
That hast from darkenesse me returnd to light,
8 And with thy heauenly salues and med'cines sweete,
Hast drest my sinfull wounds? I kisse thy blessed feete.
1 "Mercy, dear Lord," said he, "what grace is this
2 That You have showed to me, sinful wight,
wight > creature, man
3 To send Your angel from her bower of bliss,
bower > abode, dwelling (this allusion to the Bower of the Bliss is
not accidental: see 305.39-40, and cf. 205.30-1, 212.58 ff.)
4 To comfort me in my distressed plight?
5 Angel, or goddess, do I call you right?
6 What service may I do to you meet,
meet > fitting, suitable; suitably
7 That have from darkness me returned to light,
8 And with your heavenly salves and medicines sweet,
9 Have dressed my sinful wounds? I kiss your blessed feet."
305.36
Thereat she blushing said, Ah gentle Squire,
2 Nor Goddesse I, nor Angell, but the Mayd,
And daughter of a woody Nymphe, desire
4 No seruice, but thy safety and ayd;
Which if thou gaine, I shalbe well apayd.
6 We mortall wights, whose liues and fortunes bee
To commun accidents still open layd,
8 Are bound with commun bond of frailtee,
To succour wretched wights, whom we captiued see.
1 Thereat she, blushing, said, "Ah, gentle squire,
Thereat > Thereupon; as a result of that
gentle > noble
2 Nor goddess, I, nor angel, but the maid
Nor > Neither
3 And daughter of a woody nymph, desire
daughter > girl, _hence:_ ward (her mother is Chrysogone; see 306.4,
306.28)
woody > silvan, forest-dwelling (i.e. the nymph is a dryad)
4 No service but your safety and aid;
5 Which if you gain, I shall be well apaid.
apaid > pleased, satisfied; repaid
6 We mortal wights, whose lives and fortunes be
wights > people
7 To common accidents still open laid,
common > ordinary
still > ever, continually
8 Are bound with common bond of frailty,
9 To succour wretched wights, whom we captived see.
captived > taken captive (in this case by injury)
305.37
By this her Damzels, which the former chace
2 Had +vndertaken+ after +her,+ arriu'd,
As +did+ _Belph{oe}be_, in the bloudy place,
4 And thereby deemd the beast had bene depriu'd
Of life, whom late their Ladies arrow ryu'd:
6 For thy the bloudy tract they +followd+ fast,
And euery one to runne the swiftest stryu'd;
8 But two of them the rest far ouerpast,
And where their Lady was, arriued at the last.
2 vndertaken > vndertaken, _1609_
2 her, > her _1596, 1609_
3 did > had _conj. Collier_
6 followd > follow _1596, 1609_
1 By this her damsels (who the former chase
By this > By this time
2 Had undertaken after her) arrived,
3 As did Belphoebe, in the bloody place,
4 And thereby deemed the beast had been deprived
5 Of life, whom late their lady's arrow rived:
late > lately
rived > pierced
6 For-thy the bloody tract they followed fast,
For-thy > For this reason
tract > track, trail
fast > fast; very closely
7 And everyone to run the swiftest strove;
8 But two of them the rest far overpassed,
overpassed > surpassed
9 And where their lady was, arrived at the last.
at the last > finally
305.38
Where when they saw that goodly boy, with blood
2 Defowled, and their Lady dresse his wownd,
They wondred much, and shortly vnderstood,
4 How him in deadly case their Lady fownd,
And reskewed out of the heauy stownd.
6 Eftsoones his warlike courser, which was strayd
Farre in the woods, whiles that he lay in swownd,
8 She made those Damzels search, which being stayd,
They did him set thereon, and +forth with+ them conuayd.
9 forth with > forthwith _1596_
1 Where when they saw that goodly boy with blood
goodly > good-looking
2 Defouled, and their lady dress his wound,
Defouled > Defiled, befouled; defaced
3 They wondered much, and shortly understood
wondered > marvelled
4 How him in deadly case their lady found,
case > condition, plight
5 And rescued out of the heavy stound.
heavy stound > grievous peril
6 Eftsoons his warlike courser, which was strayed
Eftsoons > Presently
7 Far in the woods while he lay in swoon,
8 She made those damsels search; which being stayed,
search > [search for]
stayed > detained
9 They did him set thereon, and forth with them conveyed.
305.39
Into that forest farre they thence him led,
2 Where was their dwelling, in a pleasant glade,
With mountaines round about enuironed,
4 And mighty woods, which did the valley shade,
And like a stately Theatre it made,
6 Spreading it selfe into a spatious plaine.
And in the midst a little riuer plaide
8 Emongst the pumy stones, which seemd to plaine
With gentle murmure, that his course they did restraine.
1 Into that forest far they thence him led,
2 Where was their dwelling, in a pleasant glade,
3 With mountains round about environed,
4 And mighty woods, which did the valley shade,
5 And like a stately theatre it made,
6 Spreading itself into a spacious plain.
7 And in the midst a little river played
8 Amongst the pumice stones, which seemed to plain,
plain > complain
9 With gentle murmur, that its course they did restrain.
murmur > murmur; grumbling
305.40
Beside the same a dainty place there lay,
2 Planted with mirtle trees and laurels greene,
In which the birds song many a louely lay
4 Of gods high prayse, and of their +loues sweet+ teene,
As it an earthly Paradize had beene:
6 In whose enclosed shadow there was pight
A faire Pauilion, scarcely to be seene,
8 The which was all within most richly dight,
That greatest Princes +liuing+ it mote well delight.
4 loues sweet > sweet loues _1590_
9 liuing > liking _1590_
1 Beside the same a dainty place there lay,
dainty > delightful, pleasing
2 Planted with myrtle trees and laurels green,
myrtle > (The myrtle is held sacred to Venus and was used as an
emblem of love; the laurel is sacred to Phoebus Apollo (see
212.52:5): appropriate vegetation for the residence of Belphoebe,
on the etymology of whose name see 305.27:9)
3 In which the birds sang many a lovely lay
lay > song
4 Of God's high praise, and of their loves' sweet teen,
praise > praiseworthiness, merit
teen > pain
5 As it an earthly paradise had been:
As > [As if]
6 In whose enclosed shadow there was pight
pight > pitched, placed
7 A fair pavilion, scarcely to be seen,
8 Which was all within most richly dight,
dight > arrayed
9 That greatest princes living it might well delight.
That > [So that, such that]
305.41
Thither they brought that wounded Squire, and layd
2 In easie couch his feeble limbes to rest,
He rested him a while, and then the Mayd
4 His ready wound with better salues new drest;
Dayly she dressed him, and did the best
6 His grieuous hurt to +garish+, that she might,
That shortly she his dolour hath redrest,
8 And his foule sore reduced to faire plight:
It she reduced, but himselfe destroyed quight.
6 garish > guarish _1590_
1 Thither they brought that wounded squire, and laid
2 In easy couch his feeble limbs to rest.
easy couch > [a] comfortable bed
3 He rested him a while, and then the maid
him > [himself]
4 His ready wound with better salves new dressed;
ready > (Possibly in the sense of "lying directly before" one: he is
now better placed to be tended)
new > (May be intended to qualify "salues" as well as "drest")
5 Daily she dressed him, and did the best,
6 His grievous hurt to guarish, that she might,
hurt > wound
guarish > cure, heal
7 That shortly she his dolour has redressed,
That > [So that]
dolour > pain; physical suffering
redressed > relieved
8 And his foul sore reduced to fair plight:
fair > tolerable
9 It she reduced, but himself destroyed quite.
305.42
O foolish Physick, and vnfruitfull paine,
2 That heales vp one and makes another wound:
She his hurt thigh to him recur'd againe,
4 But hurt his hart, the which before was sound,
Through an vnwary dart, which did rebound
6 From her faire eyes and gracious countenaunce.
What bootes it him from death to be vnbound,
8 To be captiued in endlesse duraunce
Of sorrow and despaire without aleggeaunce?
1 O foolish physic, and unfruitful pain,
pain > effort
2 That heals up one and makes another wound:
3 She his hurt thigh to him recured again,
recured > restored
4 But hurt his heart, which before was sound,
5 Through an unwary dart, which did rebound
6 From her fair eyes and gracious countenance.
7 What boots it him from death to be unbound,
boots > avails
8 To be captived in endless durance
captived > made captive
9 Of sorrow and despair without allegeance?
allegeance > alleviation, relief
305.43
Still as his wound did gather, and grow hole,
2 So still his hart woxe sore, and health decayd:
Madnesse to saue a part, and lose the whole.
4 Still whenas he beheld the heauenly Mayd,
Whiles dayly plaisters to his wound she layd,
6 So still his Malady the more increast,
The whiles her matchlesse beautie him dismayd.
8 Ah God, what other could he do at least,
But loue so faire a Lady, that his life releast?
1 Still as his wound did gather, and grow whole,
Still > Ever
2 So still his heart waxed sore, and health decayed:
waxed > grew
3 Madness to save a part, and lose the whole.
4 Still when he beheld the heavenly maid,
Still > Ever, continually
5 While daily plasters to his wound she laid,
laid > applied
6 So still his malady the more increased,
7 The whiles her matchless beauty him dismayed.
The whiles > While; meanwhile
dismayed > overwhelmed, defeated
8 Ah God, what other could he do at least,
at least > at all events, at any rate
9 But love so fair a lady, that his life released?
released > [had] delivered, liberated; _hence:_ saved
305.44
Long while he stroue in his courageous brest,
2 With reason dew the passion to subdew,
And loue for to dislodge out of his nest:
4 Still when her excellencies he did vew,
Her soueraigne bounty, and celestiall hew,
6 The same to loue he strongly was constraind:
But when his meane estate he did +reuew+,
8 He from such hardy boldnesse was restraind,
And of his lucklesse lot and cruell loue thus plaind.
7 reuew > renew _1596, 1609_
1 Long while he strove in his courageous breast,
2 With reason due the passion to subdue,
due > appropriate, fitting
3 And love to dislodge out of its nest:
4 Still when her excellencies he did view,
Still > Ever
excellencies > {Surpassing merits}
5 Her sovereign bounty, and celestial hue,
bounty > virtue, goodness
hue > appearance
6 The same to love he strongly was constrained:
The same > [Those qualities]
7 But when his mean estate he did review,
mean > lowly
estate > rank, status; condition
8 He from such hardy boldness was restrained,
9 And of his luckless lot and cruel love thus plained:
plained > complained
305.45
Vnthankfull wretch (said he) is this the meed,
2 With which her soueraigne mercy thou doest quight?
Thy life she saued by her gracious deed,
4 But thou doest weene with villeinous despight,
To blot her honour, and her heauenly light.
6 Dye rather, dye, then so disloyally
Deeme of her high desert, or seeme so light:
8 Faire death it is to shonne more shame, to dy:
Dye rather, dy, then euer loue disloyally.
1 "Unthankful wretch," said he, "is this the meed
meed > reward
2 With which her sovereign mercy you do quit?
quit > requite
3 Your life she saved by her gracious deed,
4 But you do ween with villainous despite
ween > imagine, think it possible
despite > outrage
5 To blot her honour, and her heavenly light.
6 Die rather, die, than so disloyally
7 Deem of her high desert, or seem so light:
Deem > [To] think
desert > merit
8 Fair death it is to shun more shame, to die:
to shun more shame, to die > [to die in order to shun more shame]
9 Die rather, die, than ever love disloyally!
305.46
But if to loue disloyalty it bee,
2 Shall I then hate her, that from deathes dore
Me brought? ah farre be such reproch fro mee.
4 What can I lesse do, then her loue therefore,
Sith I her dew reward cannot restore:
6 Dye rather, dye, and dying do her serue,
Dying her serue, and liuing her adore;
8 Thy life she gaue, thy life she doth deserue:
Dye rather, dye, then euer from her seruice swerue.
1 "But if to love disloyalty it be,
2 Shall I then hate her, that from death's door
3 Me brought? Ah, far be such reproach from me.
reproach > shame
4 What can I less do, than her love therefore,
5 Sith I her due reward cannot restore?
Sith > Since
6 Die rather, die, and dying do her serve,
7 Dying her serve, and living her adore;
8 Your life she gave, your life she does deserve:
9 Die rather, die, than ever from her service swerve.
305.47
But foolish boy, what bootes thy seruice bace
2 To her, to whom the heauens do serue and sew?
Thou a meane Squire, of meeke and lowly place,
4 She heauenly borne, and of celestiall hew.
How then? of all loue taketh equall vew:
6 And doth not highest God vouchsafe to take
The loue and seruice of the basest crew?
8 If she will not, dye meekly for her sake;
Dye rather, dye, then euer so faire loue forsake.
1 "But, foolish boy, what boots your service base
boots > avails
2 To her, to whom the heavens do serve and sue?
serve and sue > service and homage (sue = follow as an attendant,
take as a model, pattern, or ideal)
3 You a mean squire, of meek and lowly place,
mean > lowly
place > rank, status
4 She heavenly born, and of celestial hue.
hue > appearance
5 How then? Of all Love takes equal view:
6 And does not highest God vouchsafe to take
7 The love and service of the basest crew?
crew > mob
8 If she will not, die meekly for her sake;
9 Die rather, die, than ever so fair love forsake."
so > [such a]
305.48
Thus warreid he long time against his will,
2 Till that through weaknesse he was forst at last,
To yield himselfe vnto the mighty ill:
4 Which as a victour proud, gan ransack fast
His inward parts, and all his entrayles wast,
6 That neither bloud in face, nor life in hart
It left, but both did quite drye vp, and blast;
8 As percing leuin, which the inner part
Of euery thing consumes, and calcineth by art.
1 Thus warrayed he long time against his will,
warrayed > waged war
will > {Inclination, carnal desire, carnal appetite; that which he
desired}
2 Till through weakness he was forced at last
3 To yield himself to the mighty ill:
the mighty ill > (Death, decay; ill = evil)
4 Which, as a victor proud, gan ransack fast
gan > did
5 His inward parts, and all his entrails waste,
entrails > bowels, inner parts
waste > (Vb.)
6 That neither blood in face, nor life in heart
That > [So that]
7 It left, but both did quite dry up, and blast;
blast > wither
8 As piercing levin, which the inner part
levin > lightning
9 Of everything consumes, and calcines by art.
by art > (Precise meaning unclear)
305.49
Which seeing faire _Belph{oe}be_, gan to feare,
2 Least that his wound were inly well not healed,
Or that the wicked steele empoysned were:
4 Litle she weend, that loue he close concealed;
Yet still he wasted, as the snow congealed,
6 When the bright sunne his beams thereon doth beat;
Yet neuer he his hart to her reuealed,
8 But rather chose to dye for sorrow great,
Then with dishonorable termes her to entreat.
1 Which seeing, fair Belphoebe began to fear
2 Lest his wound were inly well not healed,
inly > inwardly
3 Or the wicked steel empoisoned were:
the wicked steel > (The foster's arrowhead)
empoisoned were > had been dipped in poison
4 Little she weened that love he close concealed;
weened > imagined
close > secretly
5 Yet still he wasted, as the snow congealed,
as > like
snow congealed > frozen snow
6 When the bright sun his beams thereon does beat;
7 Yet never he his heart to her revealed,
8 But rather chose to die for sorrow great
9 Than with dishonourable terms her to entreat.
terms > words, language
305.50
She gracious Lady, yet no paines did spare,
2 To do him ease, or do him remedy:
Many Restoratiues of vertues rare,
4 And costly Cordialles she did apply,
To mitigate his stubborne mallady:
6 But that sweet Cordiall, which can restore
A loue-sick hart, she did to him enuy;
8 To +him, and to+ all th'vnworthy world forlore
She did enuy that soueraigne salue, in secret store.
8 him, and to > him and _1609_
1 She, gracious lady, yet no pains did spare
pains > efforts
2 To do him ease, or do him remedy:
do > cause; _hence:_ give
3 Many restoratives of virtues rare,
virtues > powers; occult powers
rare > excellent, fine; unusual
4 And costly cordials she did apply,
5 To mitigate his stubborn malady:
6 But that sweet cordial, which can restore
cordial > (The word is derived ultimately from the Latin _cor_,
heart)
7 A love-sick heart, she did to him envy;
to him envy > begrudge him; _hence:_ deny him, withhold
8 To him, and to all the unworthy world forlorn,
9 She did envy that sovereign salve, in secret store.
305.51
That dainty Rose, the daughter of her Morne,
2 More deare then life she tendered, whose flowre
The girlond of her honour did adorne:
4 Ne suffred she the Middayes scorching powre,
Ne the sharp Northerne wind thereon to showre,
6 But lapped vp her silken leaues most chaire,
When so the froward skye began to lowre:
8 But soone as calmed was the Christall aire,
She did it faire dispred, and let +to+ florish faire.
9 to > it _1611_
1 That dainty rose, the daughter of her morn,
2 More dear than life she tendered, whose flower
tendered > {Regarded or treated with tenderness; treated with proper
regard}
3 The garland of her honour did adorn:
4 Neither suffered she the midday's scorching power,
suffered > permitted
5 Nor the sharp northern wind thereon to shower,
6 But lapped up her silken leaves most chare,
lapped > folded; wrapped
chare > carefully
7 Whenso the froward sky began to lour:
Whenso > Whenever
froward > adverse, perverse; evilly disposed
8 But soon as calmed was the crystal air,
soon > [as soon]
9 She did it fair dispread, and let to flourish fair.
dispread > spread out
let to > [allowed it to]
305.52
Eternall God in his almighty powre,
2 To make ensample of his heauenly grace,
In Paradize whilome did plant this flowre,
4 Whence he it fetcht out of her natiue place,
And did in stocke of earthly flesh enrace,
6 That mortall men her glory should +admire:+
In gentle Ladies brest, and bounteous race
8 Of woman kind it fairest flowre doth spire,
And beareth fruit of honour and all chast desire.
6 admire: > admire _1590, 1596_
1 Eternal God in His almighty power,
2 To make example of His heavenly grace,
3 In paradise whilom did plant this flower,
whilom > formerly; at some past time; in ancient times
4 Whence He it fetched out of its native place,
5 And did in stock of earthly flesh enrace,
enrace > introduce; implant
6 That mortal men its glory should admire:
That > [So that]
7 In gentle ladies' breast, and bounteous race
gentle > noble; gentle
bounteous > {Full of goodness, virtuous; beneficent}
8 Of womankind it fairest flower does spire,
spire > germinate; sprout; _also:_ shoot up (as a stem); soar aloft
9 And bears fruit of honour and all chaste desire.
305.53
Faire ympes of beautie, whose bright shining beames
2 Adorne the world with like to heauenly light,
And to your willes both royalties and +Realmes+
4 Subdew, through conquest of your wondrous might,
With this faire flowre your goodly girlonds dight,
6 Of chastity and vertue virginall,
That shall embellish more your beautie bright,
8 And crowne your heades with heauenly coronall,
Such as the Angels +weare+ before Gods tribunall.
3 Realmes > Reames _1590, and so pronounced. The earliest form in
England,_ reaume_, became reduced to_ reame, reme, reume_; the
present spelling became the standard form about 1600. Cf.
507.23:6-9_
9 weare > were _1590_
1 Fair imps of beauty, whose bright shining beams
imps > scions
bright > bright; beautiful
2 Adorn the world with like to heavenly light,
like to > [something resembling]
3 And to your wills both royalties and realms
royalties > royal persons, sovereigns
4 Subdue, through conquest of your wondrous might,
might > power
5 With this fair flower your goodly garlands dight,
goodly > beautiful; fine
dight > deck (imperative mood)
6 Of chastity and virtue virginal,
7 That shall embellish more your beauty bright,
more > [the more]
8 And crown your heads with heavenly coronal,
coronal > {Wreath for the head; circlet; coronet}
9 Such as the angels wear before God's tribunal.
tribunal > {Raised throne, chair of state; judgement seat}
305.54
To your faire selues a faire ensample frame,
2 Of this faire virgin, this _Belph{oe}be_ faire,
To whom in perfect loue, and spotlesse fame
4 Of chastitie, none liuing may compaire:
Ne poysnous Enuy iustly can empaire
6 The prayse of her fresh flowring Maidenhead;
For thy she standeth on the highest staire
8 Of th'honorable stage of womanhead,
That Ladies all may follow her ensample dead.
1 To your fair selves a fair example frame,
frame > {Form in the mind; enclose as in a picture-frame}
2 Of this fair virgin, this Belphoebe fair,
3 To whom in perfect love, and spotless fame
fame > reputation
4 Of chastity, none living may compare:
5 Nor poisonous Envy justly can impair
6 The praise of her fresh flowering maidenhead;
praise > virtue
7 For-thy she stands on the highest stair
For-thy > For this reason; therefore
stair > {Step or degree in the scale of rank}
8 Of the honourable stage of womanhood,
9 That ladies all may follow her example dead.
That > [So that]
dead > [when she is dead; now that she is dead]
305.55
In so great prayse of stedfast chastity,
2 Nathlesse she was so curteous and kind,
Tempred with grace, and goodly modesty,
4 That seemed those two vertues stroue to find
The higher place in her Heroick mind:
6 So striuing each did other more augment,
And both encreast the prayse of woman kind,
8 And both encreast her beautie excellent;
So all did make in her a perfect complement.
1 In so great praise of steadfast chastity,
so > such
praise > virtue; praiseworthiness
2 Natheless she was so courteous and kind,
Natheless > Nevertheless
3 Tempered with grace, and goodly modesty,
4 That seemed those two virtues strove to find
That > [That it]
5 The higher place in her heroic mind:
6 So striving each did other more augment,
other > [the other]
7 And both increased the praise of womankind,
praise > virtue; praiseworthiness
8 And both increased her beauty excellent;
excellent > supreme
9 So all did make in her a perfect complement.
complement > consummation, completeness