_Paridell rapeth Hellenore:
2 Malbecco her pursewes:
Findes emongst Satyres, whence with him
4 To turne she doth refuse._
1 Paridell rapes Hellenore:
rapes > carries off; ravishes
2 Malbecco her pursues:
3 Finds amongst satyrs, whence with him
Finds > [And finds]
satyrs > (Horned forest spirits, man-like above and goat-like below,
usually portrayed as more or less lustful. In Roman mythology,
Satyr, one of the satyrs, is a companion of Bacchus with long,
pointed ears, behind which are the stumps of horns, with the tail
of a goat, bristly hair, and a flat nose. Unlike those at 106.7
ff., the satyrs in this canto conform to the usual literary
pattern)
4 To turn she does refuse.
turn > return
310.1
THe morow next, so soone as _Ph{oe}bus_ Lamp
2 Bewrayed had the world with early light,
And fresh _Aurora_ had the shady damp
4 Out of the goodly heauen amoued quight,
Faire _Britomart_ and that same _Faerie_ knight
6 Vprose, forth on their iourney for to wend:
But _Paridell_ complaynd, that his late fight
8 With _Britomart_, so sore did him offend,
That ryde he could not, till his hurts he did amend.
1 The morrow next, so soon as Phoebus' lamp
2 Bewrayed had the world with early light,
Bewrayed > Revealed; betrayed; _also:_ berayed, aspersed; _and:_
be-rayed, covered with rays
3 And fresh Aurora had the shady damp
Aurora > (We may be intended to infer here a correspondence between
Tithonus and Malbecco; at 102.7:2 Aurora is described as "weary
of aged _Tithones_ saffron bed")
damp > mist
4 Out of the goodly heaven amoved quite,
goodly > beautiful
amoved > removed; _hence:_ dispersed
5 Fair Britomart and that same Faery knight
that same Faery knight > [Satyrane]
6 Uprose, forth on their journey to wend:
7 But Paridell complained that his late fight
late > recent
8 With Britomart so sore did him offend
offend > pain
9 That ride he could not, till his hurts he did amend.
hurts > injuries
amend > heal, put right
310.2
So forth they far'd, but he behind them stayd,
2 Maulgre his host, who grudged grieuously,
To house a guest, that would be needes obayd,
4 And of his owne him left not liberty:
Might wanting measure moueth surquedry.
6 Two things he feared, but the third was death;
That fierce youngmans vnruly maistery;
8 His money, which he lou'd as liuing breath;
And his faire wife, whom honest long he kept vneath.
1 So forth they fared, but he behind them stayed,
2 Maugre his host, who grudged grievously
Maugre > in spite of, notwithstanding
grudged > grumbled
3 To house a guest that would be needs obeyed,
needs > of necessity
4 And of his own him left not liberty:
his own > [his own household]
liberty > [the liberty]
5 Might wanting measure moves surquidry.
Might wanting measure moves surquidry > Power lacking restraint
leads to arrogance (measure = temperance, moderation; surquidry =
arrogance, presumption)
6 Two things he feared, but the third was death;
7 That fierce young man's unruly mastery;
young man > (A compound sb., like "old man" (108.30:2, etc.) or "old
woman" (302.47:4))
8 His money, which he loved as living breath;
9 And his fair wife, whom honest long he kept uneath.
honest > virtuous, chaste
uneath > with difficulty
310.3
But patience perforce he must abie,
2 What fortune and his fate on him will lay,
Fond is the feare, that findes no remedie;
4 Yet warily he watcheth euery way,
By which he feareth euill happen may:
6 So th'euill thinkes by watching to preuent;
Ne doth he suffer her, nor night, nor day,
8 Out of his sight her selfe once to absent.
So doth he punish her and eke himselfe torment.
1 But patience perforce he must aby
patience perforce > (Proverbial: patience upon compulsion, like it
or not. Cf. 203.3:3)
aby > suffer, endure
2 What Fortune and his fate on him will lay,
3 Fond is the fear that finds no remedy;
Fond > Foolish
4 Yet warily he watches every way
5 By which he fears evil happen may:
6 So the evil thinks by watching to prevent;
7 Nor does he suffer her, +nor+ night nor day,
suffer > allow
nor > neither
8 Out of his sight herself once to absent.
9 So does he punish her, and eke himself torment.
eke > also
310.4
But _Paridell_ kept better watch, then hee,
2 A fit occasion for his turne to find:
False loue, why do men say, thou canst not see,
4 And in their foolish fancie feigne thee blind,
That with thy charmes the sharpest sight doest bind,
6 And to thy will abuse? Thou walkest free,
And seest euery secret of the mind;
8 Thou seest all, yet none at all sees thee;
All that is by the working of thy Deitee.
1 But Paridell kept better watch than he,
2 A fit occasion for his turn to find:
turn > purpose
3 False Love, why do men say you cannot see,
Love > [Cupid, who is often depicted wearing a blindfold: he shoots
his arrows without caring whom they hit]
4 And in their foolish fancy feign you blind,
feign > fashion, form; _hence:_ depict
blind > [as blind]
5 That with your charms the sharpest sight does bind,
charms > spells
bind > enwreath, encircle, tie up
6 And to your will abuse? You walk free,
7 And see every secret of the mind;
8 You see all, yet none at all sees you;
9 All that is by the working of your deity.
deity > godhead
310.5
So perfect in that art was _Paridell_,
2 That he +_Melbeccoes_+ halfen eye did wyle,
His halfen eye he wiled wondrous well,
4 And _Hellenors_ both eyes did eke beguyle,
Both eyes and hart attonce, during the whyle
6 That he there soiourned his wounds to heale;
That _Cupid_ selfe it seeing, close did smyle,
8 To weet how he her loue away did steale,
And bad, that none their ioyous treason should reueale.
1 _Melbeccoes_ > _Malbeccoes 1590, 1609_
1 So perfect in that art was Paridell
2 That he Malbecco's halfen eye did wile,
halfen > half (WUS; perhaps derived from "halfendeal". "Halfen eye"
= halved eyesight, for he is blind in one eye: see 309.27:6)
wile > deceive
3 His halfen eye he wiled wondrous well,
4 And Hellenore's both eyes did eke beguile,
eke > also
5 Both eyes and heart at once, during the while
at once > together
6 That he there sojourned, his wounds to heal;
7 That Cupid himself, it seeing, close did smile,
That > [So that]
close > secretly
8 To weet how he her love away did steal,
weet > see, perceive
9 And bade that none their joyous treason should reveal.
310.6
The learned louer lost no time nor tyde,
2 That least auantage mote to him afford,
Yet bore so faire a saile, that none espyde
4 His secret drift, till he her layd abord.
When so in open place, and commune bord,
6 He fortun'd her to meet, with commune speach
Her courted her, yet bayted euery word,
8 That his vngentle hoste n'ote him appeach
Of vile vngentlenesse, or hospitages breach.
1 The learned lover lost no time nor tide,
tide > opportunity
2 That least advantage might to him afford,
least > [the least]
3 Yet bore so fair a sail that none espied
4 His secret drift, till he her laid aboard.
drift > plot, scheme; _and metaphorically:_ motion (an especially
pleasing pun)
laid aboard > (To "lay aboard" a ship is to run alongside or into
her, with the intention of boarding. Spenser also uses "abord",
"aboord" (cf. _Hubberd_ 324, _RR_ 185) to mean "adrift" or
"astray")
5 Whenso in open place and common board
Whenso > Whenever
common > [at the common]
board > table
6 He fortuned her to meet, with common speech
common > ordinary; public
7 Her courted her, yet baited every word,
baited > baited; _or:_ bated: moderated
8 That his ungentle host no'te him appeach
That > [In such a way that; so that]
ungentle > discourteous; ignoble
no'te > could not
appeach > accuse
9 Of vile ungentleness, or hospitage's breach.
ungentleness > lack of breeding
hospitage > {The behaviour befitting a guest (WU)}
310.7
But when apart (if euer her apart)
2 He found, then his false engins fast he plyde,
And all the sleights vnbosomd in his hart;
4 He sigh'd, he sobd, he swownd, he perdy dyde,
And cast himselfe on ground her fast besyde:
6 Tho when againe he him bethought to liue,
He wept, and wayld, and false laments belyde,
8 Saying, but if she Mercie would him giue
That he mote algates dye, yet did his death forgiue.
1 But when apart (if ever her apart)
2 He found, then his false engines fast he plied,
He > [He her]
engines > schemes, wiles
fast > fast; closely; firmly
plied > plied; applied
3 And all the sleights unbosomed in his heart:
sleights > ruses, stratagems
4 He sighed, he sobbed, he swooned, he pardie died,
pardie > assuredly, verily (an oath)
5 And cast himself on ground her fast beside;
fast > closely
6 Tho when again he him bethought to live,
Tho > Then
him bethought > contrived; resolved
7 He wept, and wailed, and false laments belied,
belied > misrepresented; lied about (tautological, and thus
intensive)
8 Saying, but if she mercy would him give
but if > unless
9 He might algates die, yet did his death forgive.
algates > altogether
did > [he did]
forgive > [forgive her]
310.8
And otherwhiles with amorous delights,
2 And pleasing toyes he would her entertaine,
Now singing sweetly, to surprise her sprights,
4 Now making layes of loue and louers paine,
Bransles, Ballads, virelayes, and verses vaine;
6 Oft purposes, oft riddles he deuysd,
And thousands like, which flowed in his braine,
8 With which he fed her fancie, and entysd
To take +to+ his new loue, and leaue her old despysd.
9 to > with _1590_
1 And otherwhiles with amorous delights
otherwhiles > at other times
2 And pleasing toys he would her entertain,
toys > games; amorous games
3 Now singing sweetly, to surprise her spirits,
surprise > capture; lead unawares (into doing something not
intended)
4 Now making lays of love and lovers' pain,
lays > songs
5 Branles, ballads, virelays, and verses vain;
Branle > {A French dance, or the music for it}
virelay > {A sort of song originating in France. See _SC_, gloss to
"November"}
vain > foolish; empty; weak
6 Oft purposes, oft riddles he devised,
purposes > riddles; games of questions-and-answers
7 And thousands like, which flowed in his brain,
8 With which he fed her fancy, and enticed
enticed > [enticed her]
9 To take to his new love, and leave her old despised.
310.9
And euery where he might, and euery while
2 He did her seruice dewtifull, and sewed
At hand with humble pride, and pleasing guile,
4 So closely yet, that none but she it vewed,
Who well perceiued all, and all indewed.
6 Thus finely did he his false nets dispred,
With which he many weake harts had subdewed
8 Of yore, and many had ylike misled:
What wonder then, if she were likewise carried?
1 And everywhere he might, and every while
might > could
every while > [all the time]
2 He did her service dutiful, and sued
sued > {Followed as an attendant or companion}
3 At hand with humble pride, and pleasing guile,
4 So closely yet that none but she it viewed,
closely > secretly
5 Who well perceived all, and all endued.
endued > digested (used of a hawk); _hence:_ took in, absorbed
(Latin _inducere_, to lead in)
6 Thus finely did he his false nets dispread,
finely > skilfully, artfully
dispread > spread out
7 With which he many weak hearts had subdued
subdued > subdued; _also:_ led astray, stolen away (Latin _subduco_,
cognate with _seduco_ and hence "seduce")
8 Of yore, and many had alike misled:
yore > old
9 What wonder, then, if she were likewise carried?
310.10
No fort so fensible, no wals so strong,
2 But that continuall battery will riue,
Or daily siege through dispuruayance long,
4 And lacke of reskewes will to parley driue;
And +Peece+, that vnto parley eare will giue,
6 Will shortly yeeld it selfe, and will be made
The vassall of the victors will byliue:
8 That stratageme had oftentimes assayd
This crafty Paramoure, and now it plaine displayd.
5 Peece > Peace _1596_
1 No fort so fencible, no walls so strong,
fencible > strong, well-fortified, defensible
2 But that continual battery will rive,
battery > {Battering; assault with many blows or missiles}
rive > tear [it] open
3 Or daily siege, through dispurveyance long
dispurveyance > deprivation of provisions; _hence:_ starvation
4 And lack of rescues, will to parley drive;
5 And piece, that to parley ear will give,
piece > [a] piece, piece of work, contrivance; _hence:_ castle (as
211.14:9, with the same wordplay on "peace")
6 Will shortly yield itself, and will be made
7 The vassal of the victor's will belive:
vassal > slave
belive > forthwith
8 That stratagem had oftentimes essayed
oftentimes essayed > often attempted
9 This crafty paramour, and now it plain displayed.
310.11
For through his traines he her intrapped hath,
2 That she her loue and hart hath wholy sold
To him, without regard of gaine, or scath,
4 Or care of credite, or of husband old,
Whom she hath vow'd to dub a faire Cucquold.
6 Nought wants but time and place, which shortly shee
Deuized hath, and to her louer told.
8 It pleased well. So well they both agree;
So readie rype to ill, ill wemens counsels bee.
1 For through his trains he her entrapped has,
trains > wiles, tricks
2 That she her love and heart has wholly sold
That > [So that]
3 To him, without regard of gain, or scathe,
scathe > harm, damage
4 Or care of credit, or of husband old,
of credit > for [her] reputation
5 Whom she has vowed to dub a fair cuckold.
6 Naught wants but time and place, which shortly she
wants > lacks
7 Devised has, and to her lover told.
8 It pleased well. So well they both agree;
9 So ready ripe to ill, ill women's counsels be.
ill > evil
310.12
Darke was the Euening, fit for louers stealth,
2 When chaunst +_Melbecco_+ busie be elsewhere,
She to his closet went, where all his wealth
4 Lay hid: thereof she countlesse summes did reare,
The which she meant away with her to beare;
6 The rest she fyr'd for sport, or for despight;
As _Hellene_, when she saw aloft appeare
8 The _Troiane_ flames, and reach to heauens hight
Did clap her hands, and ioyed at that dolefull sight.
2 _Melbecco_ > _Malbecco 1590, 1609_
1 Dark was the evening, fit for lovers' stealth,
2 When chanced Malbecco busy be elsewhere;
chanced > [it chanced]
busy be > [to be busy]
3 She to his closet went, where all his wealth
closet > cabinet; private room, side-room (used for storage)
4 Lay hidden: thereof she countless sums did rear,
rear > gather, collect (usu. said of fines, rents, etc.)
5 Which she meant away with her to bear;
6 The rest she fired for sport, or for despite;
despite > malice
7 As Helen (when she saw aloft appear
8 The Trojan flames, and reach to heaven's height)
9 Did clap her hands, and joyed at that doleful sight.
joyed > rejoiced (see _Aen._ 6.517-519)
310.13
This second _Hellene_, faire Dame _Hellenore_,
2 The whiles her husband ranne with sory haste,
To quench the flames which she had tyn'd before,
4 Laught at his foolish labour spent in waste;
And ranne into her louers armes right fast;
6 Where streight embraced, she to him did cry,
And call aloud for helpe, ere helpe were past;
8 For loe that Guest +would+ beare her forcibly,
And meant to rauish her, that rather had to dy.
8 would > did _1590_
1 This second Helen, fair Dame Hellenore,
2 While her husband ran with sorry haste
sorry > painful, distressing
3 To quench the flames which she had tinded before,
tinded > kindled
4 Laughed at his foolish labour spent in waste;
waste > [vain]
5 And ran into her lover's arms right fast;
right > very
fast > quickly; closely, firmly
6 Where, straight embraced, she to him did cry,
straight > straightway; strait: tightly
him > [Malbecco]
7 And call aloud for help, ere help were past;
8 For lo that guest would bear her forcibly,
bear > take [as a companion; cf. 102.45:9]
9 And meant to ravish her, that rather had to die.
meant > intended
rather had to die > [would rather have died]
310.14
The wretched man hearing her call for ayd,
2 And readie seeing him with her to fly,
In his disquiet mind was much dismayd:
4 But when againe he backward cast his eye,
And saw the wicked fire so furiously
6 Consume his hart, and scorch his Idoles face,
He was therewith distressed diuersly,
8 Ne wist he how to turne, nor to what place;
Was neuer wretched man in such a wofull cace.
1 The wretched man, hearing her call for aid,
2 And ready seeing him with her to fly,
fly > flee
3 In his disquiet mind was much dismayed:
4 But when again he backward cast his eye,
5 And saw the wicked fire so furiously
6 Consume his heart, and scorch his idol's face,
his idol's face > [his money; his god is Mammon]
7 He was therewith distressed diversely,
therewith > with that
diversely > variously; _also:_ distractingly (SUS)
8 Nor wist he how to turn, nor to what place;
wist > knew
9 Was never wretched man in such a woeful case.
wretched man > [a wretched man; or: wretched Man]
case > plight
310.15
Ay when to him she cryde, to her he turnd,
2 And left the fire; loue money ouercame:
But when he marked, how his money burnd,
4 He left his wife; money did loue disclame:
Both was he loth to loose his loued Dame,
6 And loth to leaue his liefest pelfe behind,
Yet sith he n'ote saue both, he sau'd that same,
8 Which was the dearest to his donghill mind,
The God of his desire, the ioy of misers blind.
1 Ay when to him she cried, to her he turned,
Ay > Ever
2 And left the fire; love money overcame:
3 But when he marked how his money burnt,
4 He left his wife; money did love disclaim:
disclaim > renounce
5 Both was he loath to loose his loved dame,
loose > lose; release
6 And loath to leave his liefest pelf behind,
liefest > dearest
pelf > cash, lucre
7 Yet sith he no'te save both, he saved that same
sith > since, because
no'te > could not
8 Which was the dearest to his dunghill mind,
dearest > (A superlative, not a comparative)
9 The god of his desire, the joy of misers blind.
310.16
Thus whilest all things in troublous vprore were,
2 And all men busie to suppresse the flame,
The louing couple need no reskew feare,
4 But leasure had, and libertie to frame
Their purpost flight, free from all mens reclame;
6 And Night, the patronesse of loue-stealth faire,
Gaue them safe conduct, till to end they came:
8 So bene they gone yfeare, a wanton paire
Of louers loosely knit, where list them to repaire.
1 Thus, whilst all things in troublous uproar were,
2 And all men busy to suppress the flame,
3 The loving couple need no rescue fear,
4 But leisure had, and liberty to frame
frame > bring to pass
5 Their purposed flight, free from all men's reclaim;
purposed > intended
reclaim > {Recall, power to bring back}
6 And Night, the patroness of love-stealth fair,
Night > (The goddess Nox, who first appears at 105.20. See esp.
304.55 ff.)
7 Gave them safe conduct till to end they came:
8 So been they gone yfere, a wanton pair
been > [were]
yfere > together
9 Of lovers loosely knit, where list them to repair.
list > it pleased
repair > go
310.17
Soone as the cruell flames yslaked were,
2 _Malbecco_ seeing, how his losse did lye,
Out of the flames, which he had quencht whylere
4 Into huge waues of griefe and gealosye
Full deepe emplonged was, and drowned nye,
6 Twixt inward doole and felonous despight;
He rau'd, he wept, he stampt, he lowd did cry,
8 And all the passions, that in man may light,
Did him attonce oppresse, and vex his caytiue spright.
1 Soon as the cruel flames slaked were,
Soon > [As soon]
2 Malbecco, seeing how his loss did lie,
3 Out of the flames, which he had quenched whilere,
whilere > erewhile: a while before
4 Into huge waves of grief and jealousy
5 Full deep implunged was, and drowned nigh,
Full > Very
implunged > plunged into (the prefix is here tautological, and thus
intensive)
6 'Twixt inward dole and felonous despite;
dole > grief, sorrow
felonous > {Cruel, wicked, befitting a felon}
despite > malice; rage
7 He raved, he wept, he stamped, he loud did cry,
8 And all the passions that in man may light
light > be incident; _hence:_ occur
9 Did him at once oppress, and vex his caitiff spirit.
at once > simultaneously; immediately
oppress > overwhelm
caitiff > wretched, despicable, servile
310.18
Long thus he chawd the cud of inward griefe,
2 And did consume his gall with anguish sore,
Still when he mused on his late mischiefe,
4 +Then+ still the smart thereof increased more,
And seem'd more grieuous, then it was before:
6 At last when sorrow he saw booted nought,
Ne griefe might not his loue to him restore,
8 He gan deuise, how her he reskew mought,
Ten thousand wayes he cast in his confused thought.
4 Then > So _1590_
1 Long thus he chawed the cud of inward grief,
2 And did consume his gall with anguish sore;
gall > (Rancour was said to have its seat in the gall)
3 Still when he mused on his late mischief,
Still > Ever, continuously
late > recent
mischief > misfortune, disaster
4 Then still the smart thereof increased more,
smart > pain, acute pain
5 And seemed more grievous than it was before:
6 At last, when sorrow he saw booted naught,
booted > availed
7 Ne grief might not his love to him restore,
Ne > [And that; and neither: with the intensive double negative]
8 He gan devise how her he rescue might:
gan > did; began to
9 Ten thousand ways he cast in his confused thought.
cast > contrived; decided upon
310.19
At last resoluing, like a pilgrim pore,
2 To +search+ her forth, where so she might be fond,
And bearing with him treasure in close store,
4 The rest he leaues in ground: So takes in hond
To seeke her endlong, both by sea and lond.
6 Long he her sought, he sought her farre and nere,
And euery where that he mote vnderstond,
8 Of knights and ladies any meetings were,
And of eachone he met, he tydings did inquere.
2 search > seach _1596_
1 At last resolving like a pilgrim poor
like > [disguised as; also: in the manner of]
2 To search her forth whereso she might be found,
whereso > wherever
3 And bearing with him treasure in close store,
close > secret, hidden
4 The rest he leaves in ground: so takes in hand
5 To seek her endlong, both by sea and land.
endlong > from end to end [of the world]
6 Long he her sought, he sought her far and near,
7 And everywhere that he might understand
might understand > could learn [that]
8 Of knights and ladies any meetings were;
9 And of each one he met he tidings did inquire.
each one > everyone
310.20
But all in vaine, his woman was too wise,
2 Euer to come into his clouch againe,
And he too simple euer to surprise
4 The iolly _Paridell_, for all his paine.
One day, as he forpassed by the plaine
6 With weary pace, he farre away espide
A couple, seeming well to be his twaine,
8 Which houed close vnder a forrest side,
As if they lay in wait, or else themselues did hide.
1 But all in vain: his woman was too wise
2 Ever to come into his clutch again,
clutch > claws, grasp; hand (the beginning of an extended metaphor
based in falconry)
3 And he too simple ever to surprise
he > [he was]
4 The jolly Paridell, for all his pain.
jolly > gallant; fine; amorous, lustful
pain > pains, effort
5 One day, as he forpassed by the plain
forpassed by > went along, travelled (SUS)
6 With weary pace, he far away espied
7 A couple, seeming well to be his twain,
twain > two, pair
8 Who hoved close under a forest side,
hoved > lingered; hovered
9 As if they lay in wait, or else themselves did hide.
310.21
Well weened he, that those the same mote bee,
2 And as he better did their shape auize,
Him seemed more their manner did agree;
4 For th'one was armed all in warlike wize,
Whom, to be _Paridell_ he did deuize;
6 And th'other all yclad in garments light,
Discolour'd like to womanish disguise,
8 He did resemble to his Ladie bright;
And euer his faint hart much +earned+ at the sight.
9 earned > yearned _1609_
1 Well weened he that those the same might be
weened > thought, supposed
2 And, as he better did their shape advise,
advise > perceive
3 Him seemed more their manner did agree;
Him seemed > [It seemed to him that]
4 For the one was armed all in warlike wise
wise > style, fashion
5 (Whom to be Paridell he did devise);
devise > surmise
6 And the other all clad in garments light,
7 Discoloured like to womanish disguise,
Discoloured > Varicoloured
like to > resembling
disguise > (The ordinary sense, garb assumed in order to deceive, is
consonant with his perception of "ill wemens counsels": see
310.11:9)
8 He did resemble to his lady bright;
resemble > liken
bright > beautiful
9 And ever his faint heart much yearned at the sight.
310.22
And euer faine he towards them would goe,
2 But yet durst not for dread approchen nie,
But stood aloofe, vnweeting what to doe;
4 Till that prickt forth with loues extremitie,
That is the father of foule gealosy,
6 He closely nearer crept, the truth to weet:
But, as he nigher drew, he easily
8 Might scerne, that it was not his sweetest sweet,
Ne yet her Belamour, the partner of his sheet.
1 And ever fain he towards them would go,
fain > gladly, willingly
2 But yet dared not for dread approach nigh,
3 But stood aloof, unweeting what to do;
aloof > apart
unweeting > not knowing
4 Till, pricked forth with love's extremity,
pricked forth > spurred on, goaded
5 That is the father of foul jealousy,
6 He closely nearer crept, the truth to weet:
closely > secretly
weet > learn, find out
7 But, as he nigher drew, he easily
8 Might scern that it was not his sweetest sweet,
Might > Could
scern > discern (_OED_ quotes this instance)
9 Nor yet her belamour, the partner of his sheet.
belamour > lover (French _bel amour_)
310.23
But it was scornefull _Braggadocchio_,
2 That with his seruant _Trompart_ houerd there,
Sith late he fled from his too earnest foe:
4 Whom such when as _Malbecco_ spyed clere,
He turned backe, and would haue fled arere;
6 Till _Trompart_ ronning hastily, him did stay,
And bad before his soueraine Lord appere:
8 That was him loth, yet durst he not gainesay,
And comming him before, low louted on the lay.
1 But it was scornful Braggadocchio
2 That with his servant Trompart hovered there,
3 Sith late he fled from his too earnest foe:
Sith > Since
late > recently (at 308.18:7)
his too earnest foe > [Sir Ferraugh]
4 Whom such when Malbecco spied clear,
5 He turned back, and would have fled arear;
arear > in the rear; _hence:_ back
6 Till Trompart, running hastily, him did stay,
stay > detain
7 And bade before his sovereign lord appear:
8 That was him loath, yet dared he not gainsay,
him loath > [unpleasant to him]
gainsay > refuse
9 And, coming him before, low louted on the lea.
louted > bowed, made obeisance
lea > ground
310.24
The Boaster at him sternely bent his browe,
2 As if he could haue kild him with his looke,
That to the ground him meekely made to bowe,
4 And awfull terror deepe into him strooke,
That euery member of his bodie quooke.
6 Said he, thou man of nought, what doest thou here,
Vnfitly furnisht with thy bag and booke,
8 Where I expected one with shield and spere,
To proue some deedes of armes vpon an equall pere.
1 The boaster at him sternly bent his brow,
sternly > fiercely
2 As if he could have killed him with his look,
3 That to the ground him meekly made to bow,
4 And awful terror deep into him struck,
5 That every member of his body quaked.
That > [So that]
member > limb; organ
6 Said he, "You man of naught, what do you here,
do > [are you doing]
7 Unfitly furnished with your bag and book,
8 Where I expected one with shield and spear,
9 To prove some deeds of arms upon an equal peer?"
prove > try
peer > peer, rival; nobleman
310.25
The wretched man at his imperious speach,
2 Was all abasht, and low prostrating, said;
Good Sir, let not my +rudenesse+ be no breach
4 Vnto your patience, ne be ill ypaid;
For I vnwares this way by fortune straid,
6 A silly Pilgrim driuen to distresse,
That seeke a Lady, There he suddein staid,
8 And did the rest with grieuous sighes suppresse,
While teares stood in his eies, few drops of bitternesse.
3 rudenesse > rudedesse _1596_
1 The wretched man at his imperious speech
2 Was all abashed and, low prostrating, said:
prostrating > [prostrating himself]
3 "Good sir, let not my rudeness be no breach
no > (The double negative is intensive)
4 To your patience, nor be ill apaid;
be > (Imperative mood, addressing Braggadocchio)
ill apaid > displeased
5 For I unwares this way by fortune strayed,
unwares > unwittingly
6 A silly pilgrim driven to distress,
silly > humble, lowly; helpless, innocent
7 That seek a lady ..." There he sudden stayed,
stayed > stopped
8 And did the rest with grievous sighs suppress,
9 While tears stood in his eyes, few drops of bitterness.
310.26
What Ladie, man? (said _Trompart_) take good hart,
2 And tell thy griefe, if any hidden lye;
Was neuer better time to shew thy smart,
4 Then now, that noble succour is thee by,
That is the whole worlds commune remedy.
6 That chearefull word his weake hart much did cheare,
And with vaine hope his spirits faint supply,
8 That bold he said; {o^} most redoubted Pere,
Vouchsafe with mild regard a wretches cace to heare.
1 "What lady, man?" said Trompart. "Take good heart,
2 And tell your grief, if any hidden lie;
tell > describe
3 Was never better time to show your smart
smart > pain, acute pain
4 Than now, that noble succour is you by,
5 That is the whole world's common remedy."
6 That cheerful word his weak heart much did cheer,
7 And with vain hope his spirits faint supply,
vain > foolish
8 That bold he said: "O most redoubted peer,
That > [So that]
peer > nobleman
9 Vouchsafe with mild regard a wretch's case to hear."
mild > gracious, kindly
310.27
Then sighing sore, It is not long (said hee)
2 +Sith+ I enioyd the gentlest Dame aliue;
Of whom a knight, no knight at all perdee,
4 But shame of all, that doe for honor striue,
By treacherous deceipt did me depriue;
6 Through open outrage he her bore away,
And with fowle force vnto his will did driue,
8 Which all good knights, that armes do beare this day,
Are bound for to reuenge, and punish if they may.
2 Sith > Since _1609_
1 Then, sighing sore, "It is not long," said he,
2 "Sith I enjoyed the gentlest dame alive;
Sith > Since
gentlest > noblest
3 Of whom a knight (no knight at all pardie,
pardie > assuredly, "by God"
4 But shame of all that do for honour strive)
5 By treacherous deceit did me deprive;
6 Through open outrage he her bore away,
7 And with foul force to his will did drive,
8 Which all good knights, that arms do bear this day,
9 Are bound to revenge, and punish if they may.
may > can
310.28
And you most noble Lord, that can and dare
2 Redresse the wrong of miserable wight,
Cannot employ your most victorious speare
4 In better quarrell, then defence of right,
And for a Ladie gainst a faithlesse knight;
6 So shall your glory be aduaunced much,
And all faire Ladies magnifie your might,
8 And eke my selfe, albe I simple such,
Your worthy paine shall well reward with guerdon rich.
1 "And you, most noble lord, that can and dare
2 Redress the wrong of miserable wight,
wight > man, creature
3 Cannot employ your most victorious spear
4 In better quarrel than defence of right,
5 And for a lady gainst a faithless knight;
gainst > against
6 So shall your glory be advanced much,
advanced > extolled; raised
7 And all fair ladies magnify your might,
magnify > praise, glorify
might > strength
8 And eke myself, albe I simple such,
eke > also
albe I simple such > [although I am humble as I have described]
9 Your worthy pain shall well reward with guerdon rich."
pain > pains; effort
guerdon > reward
310.29
With that out of his bouget forth he drew
2 Great store of treasure, therewith him to tempt;
But he on it lookt scornefully askew,
4 As much disdeigning to be so misdempt,
Or a war-monger to be basely nempt;
6 And said; +thy+ offers base I greatly loth,
And eke thy words vncourteous and vnkempt;
8 I tread in dust thee and thy money both,
That, were it not for shame, So turned from him wroth.
6 thy > Thy _1609_
1 With that out of his budget forth he drew
budget > bag, pouch, wallet
2 Great store of treasure, therewith him to tempt;
therewith > with which
3 But he on it looked scornfully askew,
4 As much disdaining to be so misdeemed,
misdeemed > misjudged
5 Or a warmonger to be basely named;
warmonger > mercenary soldier
6 And said: "Your offers base I greatly loathe,
7 And eke your words uncourteous and unkempt;
eke > also
unkempt > inelegant, unpolished; rude
8 I tread in dust you and your money both,
9 That, were it not for shame ..." So turned from him wroth.
That > [So that]
shame > [the shame incurred by striking one of vastly inferior rank]
So > Thus
310.30
But _Trompart_, that his maisters humor knew,
2 In lofty lookes to hide an humble mind,
Was inly tickled with that golden vew,
4 And in his eare him +rounded+ close behind:
Yet stoupt he not, but lay still in the wind,
6 Waiting aduauntage on the pray to sease;
Till _Trompart_ lowly to the ground inclind,
8 Besought him his great courage to appease,
And pardon simple man, that rash did him displease.
4 rounded > rownded _1590;_ grounded _1596_
1 But Trompart, that his master's humour knew
humour > frame of mind
2 (In lofty looks to hide a humble mind),
humble > low, inferior
3 Was inly tickled with that golden view,
inly > inwardly
4 And in his ear him rounded close behind:
rounded > addressed in a whisper
5 Yet stooped he not, but lay still in the wind,
stooped > swooped, dived for the kill (a term in falconry)
6 Waiting advantage on the pray to seize;
advantage > [a] time of advantage, [an] occasion, [an] opportunity
7 Till Trompart, lowly to the ground inclined,
8 Besought him his great courage to appease,
courage > wrath; spirit
9 And pardon simple man, that rash did him displease.
simple > [a] humble
310.31
Bigge looking like a doughtie Doucepere,
2 At last he thus; Thou clod of vilest clay,
I pardon yield, +and with+ thy rudenesse beare;
4 But weete henceforth, that all that golden pray,
And all that else the vaine world vaunten may,
6 I loath as doung, ne deeme my dew reward:
Fame is my meed, and glory +vertues+ +pray+.
8 But minds of mortall men are muchell mard,
And mou'd amisse with massie mucks vnmeet regard.
3 and with > and that with _1590_
7 vertues > vertuous _1590_
7 pray > pay _1609, avoiding the duplication from line 4_
1 Big-looking, like a doughty doucepere,
doucepere > {In the old romances, one of Charlemagne's douzepers,
his twelve peers or paladins; in history, one of the twelve great
peers of France}
2 At last he thus: "You, clod of vilest clay,
3 I pardon yield, and with your rudeness bear;
4 But weet henceforth that all that golden prey,
weet > understand
prey > plunder
5 And all that else the vain world vaunt may,
else > otherwise
vain > foolish; empty
vaunt may > may boast of
6 I loathe as dung, nor deem my due reward:
7 Fame is my meed, and glory virtue's prey.
meed > reward
prey > spoil (see Textual Appendix)
8 But minds of mortal men are mickle marred,
mickle > much, greatly
marred > damaged morally, corrupted
9 And moved amiss with massy muck's unmeet regard.
massy > solid, weighty (applied esp. to precious metals)
unmeet > unfitting, unseemly
regard > [Minds of mortal men are ... moved amiss with unmeet regard
for massy muck]
310.32
And +more+, I graunt to thy great miserie
2 Gratious respect, thy wife shall backe be sent,
And that vile knight, who euer that he bee,
4 Which hath thy Lady reft, and knighthood shent,
By _Sanglamort_ my sword, whose deadly dent
6 The bloud hath of so many thousands shed,
I sweare, ere long shall dearely it repent;
8 Ne he twixt heauen and earth shall hide his hed,
But soone he shall be found, and shortly doen be ded.
1 more > mote _1590_
1 "And more, I grant to your great misery
2 Gracious respect; your wife shall back be sent,
3 And that vile knight, whoever he be,
4 Who has your lady reft, and knighthood shent,
reft > taken away
shent > disgraced
5 By Sanglamort my sword, whose deadly dint
Sanglamort > "Bloody Death" (French)
dint > blow, stroke
6 The blood has of so many thousands shed,
7 I swear, ere long shall dearly it repent;
dearly > grievously
8 Nor he 'twixt heaven and earth shall hide his head,
9 But soon he shall be found, and shortly done be dead.'
done be dead > [shall be killed]
310.33
The foolish man thereat woxe wondrous blith,
2 As if the word so spoken, were halfe donne,
And humbly thanked him a thousand sith,
4 That had from death to life him newly wonne.
Tho forth the Boaster marching, braue begonne
6 His stolen steed to thunder furiously,
As if he heauen and hell would ouerronne,
8 And all the world confound with cruelty,
That much _Malbecco_ ioyed in his iollity.
1 The foolish man thereat waxed wondrous blithe,
thereat > at that; thereupon
waxed > grew, became
2 As if the word so spoken were half done,
3 And humbly thanked him a thousand sithes,
sithes > times
4 That had from death to life him newly won.
5 Tho forth the boaster marching, brave began
Tho > Then
brave > bravely; splendidly
6 His stolen steed to thunder furiously,
stolen steed > (It belongs to Guyon, and was stolen at 203.4; he
will regain it at 503.29)
7 As if he heaven and hell would overrun,
8 And all the world confound with cruelty,
confound > overthrow
cruelty > severity, rigour
9 That much Malbecco joyed in his jollity.
That > [So that]
joyed in > rejoiced at
jollity > magnificence; arrogance
310.34
Thus long they three together traueiled,
2 Through many a wood, and many an vncouth way,
To seeke his wife, that was farre wandered:
4 But those two sought nought, but the present pray,
To weete the treasure, which he did bewray,
6 On which their eies and harts were wholly set,
With purpose, how they might it best betray;
8 For sith the houre, that first he did them let
The same behold, therewith their keene desires were whet.
1 Thus long they three together travelled,
2 Through many a wood, and many an uncouth way,
uncouth > unknown, strange
3 To seek his wife, that was far wandered:
4 But those two sought naught but the present prey,
5 To weet, the treasure, which he did bewray,
To weet > To wit, that is to say
bewray > reveal
6 On which their eyes and hearts were wholly set,
7 With purpose how they might it best betray;
purpose > [the] matter in hand [of]
betray > get hold of (Latin _tradere_, to give up, hand over,
deliver up); _also:_ lead astray, seduce
8 For, sith the hour that first he did them let
sith > since, ever since
hour > moment; hour
9 The same behold, therewith their keen desires were whetted.
therewith > with that
310.35
It fortuned as they together far'd,
2 They spide, where _Paridell_ came pricking fast
Vpon the plaine, the which himselfe prepar'd
4 To giust with that braue straunger knight a cast,
As on aduenture by the way he past:
6 Alone he rode without his Paragone;
For hauing filcht her bels, her vp he cast
8 To the wide world, and let her fly alone,
He nould be clogd. So had he serued many one.
1 It fortuned, as they together fared,
2 They spied where Paridell came pricking fast
pricking > spurring his horse, riding
3 Upon the plain, who himself prepared
4 To joust with that brave stranger knight a cast,
brave > brave; splendid
stranger > new-come
cast > turn, throw
5 As on adventure by the way he passed:
6 Alone he rode, without his paragon;
paragon > mate, consort, companion
7 For, having filched her bells, her up he cast
filched > (A filch was a staff with a hook at one end, used to steal
things from open windows, etc.)
bells > (Another term from falconry. Small spherical bells are
attached to the legs of falcons by their trainers)
cast > threw, launched; _also connoting:_ vomited (another term in
falconry)
8 To the wide world, and let her fly alone:
9 He nould be clogged. So had he served many one.
nould > would not
clogged > hampered, impeded
one > [a one]
310.36
The gentle Lady, loose at randon left,
2 The greene-wood long did walke, and wander wide
At wilde aduenture, like a forlorne weft,
4 Till on a day the _Satyres_ her espide
Straying alone withouten groome or guide;
6 Her vp they tooke, and with them home her led,
With them as housewife euer to abide,
8 To milke their gotes, and make them cheese and bred,
And euery one as commune good her handeled.
1 The gentle lady, loose at random left,
gentle > noble
2 The greenwood long did walk, and wander wide
greenwood > {A wood or forest when in leaf}
long > (Adv., applied to her walking; or perhaps adj., applied to
the greenwood)
3 At wild adventure, like a forlorn waif,
wild adventure > [hazard in the wild]
4 Till on a day the satyrs her espied
5 Straying alone without groom or guide;
groom > manservant
6 Her up they took, and with them home her led,
7 With them as housewife ever to abide,
abide > remain
8 To milk their goats, and make them cheese and bread,
9 And every one as common good her handled.
good > property
310.37
That shortly she _Malbecco_ has forgot,
2 And eke Sir _Paridell_, all were he deare;
Who from her went to seeke another lot,
4 And now by fortune was arriued here,
Where those two guilers with _Malbecco_ were:
6 Soone as the oldman saw Sir _Paridell_,
He fainted, and was almost dead with feare,
8 Ne word he had to speake, his griefe to tell,
But to him louted low, and greeted goodly well.
1 That shortly she Malbecco has forgotten,
That > [So that]
2 And eke Sir Paridell, all were he dear;
eke > also
all were he > although he was
3 Who from her went to seek another lot,
lot > fortune; prize
4 And now by fortune was arrived here,
5 Where those two guilers with Malbecco were:
guilers > deceivers
6 Soon as the old man saw Sir Paridell
Soon > [As soon]
old man > (Compound sb.)
7 He fainted, and was almost dead with fear,
8 Nor word he had to speak, his grief to tell,
9 But to him louted low, and greeted goodly well,
louted > bowed, made obeisance
goodly > courteously
310.38
And after asked him for _Hellenore_,
2 I take no keepe of her (said _Paridell_)
She wonneth in the forrest there before.
4 So forth he rode, as his aduenture fell;
The whiles the Boaster from his loftie sell
6 Faynd to alight, something amisse to mend;
But the fresh Swayne would not his leasure dwell,
8 But went his way; whom when he passed kend,
He vp remounted light, and after faind to wend.
1 And after asked him for Hellenore.
2 "I take no keep of her," said Paridell,
keep of > heed of; charge of, responsibility for
3 "She wons in the forest there before."
wons > dwells
4 So forth he rode, as his adventure fell;
5 The whiles the boaster from his lofty sell
The whiles > Meanwhile
sell > saddle
6 Fained to alight, something amiss to mend;
Fained > Was disposed; _or:_ feigned
7 But the fresh swain would not his leisure dwell,
fresh > {Young; not fatigued; speedy (said of a ship: cf.
310.6:3-4)}
swain > lover
dwell > await (trans.); tarry, delay (intr., requiring "his leisure"
to be read as "at his leisure")
8 But went his way; whom when he passed kenned,
he > [Braggadocchio]
passed kenned > [knew had passed, knew to be past]
9 He up remounted light, and after feigned to wend.
light > quickly
310.39
Perdy nay (said _Malbecco_) shall ye not:
2 But let him passe as lightly, as he came:
For litle good of him is to be got,
4 And mickle perill to be put to shame.
But let vs go to seeke my dearest Dame,
6 Whom he hath left in yonder forrest wyld:
For of her safety in great doubt I +am+,
8 Least saluage beastes her person haue despoyld:
Then all the world is lost, and we in vaine haue toyld.
7 am > ame _1590_
1 "Pardie nay," said Malbecco, "shall you not:
Pardie > Verily, "by God"
2 But let him pass as lightly as he came:
lightly > easily; quickly
3 For little good of him is to be got,
4 And mickle peril to be put to shame.
mickle > much
5 But let us go to seek my dearest dame,
6 Whom he has left in yonder forest wild:
7 For of her safety in great doubt I am,
doubt > fear
8 Lest savage beasts her person have despoiled:
savage > wild; savage
9 Then all the world is lost, and we in vain have toiled."
310.40
+They+ all agree, and forward them addrest:
2 Ah but (said craftie _Trompart_) weete ye well,
That yonder in that +wastefull+ wildernesse
4 Huge monsters haunt, and many dangers dwell;
Dragons, and Minotaures, and feendes of hell,
6 And many wilde woodmen, which robbe and rend
All trauellers; therefore aduise ye well,
8 Before ye enterprise that way to wend:
One may his iourney bring too soone to euill end.
1 They > The _1596_
3 wastefull > faithfull _1590_
1 They all agree, and forward them addressed:
them addressed > betook themselves, went; _or, more likely:_ aimed
themselves, made ready [to leave]
2 "Ah but," said crafty Trompart, "weet you well,
weet > know, understand
3 That yonder in that wasteful wilderness
wasteful > desolate
4 Huge monsters haunt, and many dangers dwell:
5 Dragons, and minotaurs, and fiends of hell,
6 And many wild woodmen, who rob and rend
woodmen > wild men, savages, satyrs; _also:_ maniacs
rend > tear to bits
7 All travellers; therefore advise you well,
advise > consider
8 Before you enterprise that way to wend:
enterprise > undertake
9 One may his journey bring too soon to evil end."
310.41
_Malbecco_ stopt in great astonishment,
2 And with pale eyes fast fixed on the rest,
Their counsell crau'd, in daunger imminent.
4 Said _Trompart_, +you+ that are the most opprest
With burden of great treasure, I thinke best
6 Here for to stay in safetie behind;
My Lord and I will search the wide forrest.
8 That counsell pleased not _Malbeccoes_ mind;
For he was much affraid, himselfe alone to find.
4 you > You _1609_
1 Malbecco stopped in great astonishment
astonishment > {Loss of sense or wits}
2 And, with pale eyes fast fixed on the rest,
fast > firmly
3 Their counsel craved, in danger imminent.
4 Said Trompart, "You, that are the most oppressed
oppressed > weighed down
5 With burden of great treasure, I think best
6 Here to stay in safety behind;
7 My lord and I will search the wide forest."
8 That counsel pleased not Malbecco's mind:
9 For he was much afraid himself alone to find.
310.42
Then is it best (said he) that ye doe leaue
2 Your treasure here in some securitie,
Either fast closed in some hollow greaue,
4 Or buried in the ground from ieopardie,
Till we returne againe in safetie:
6 As for vs two, least doubt of vs ye haue,
Hence farre away we will blindfolded lie,
8 Ne priuie be vnto your treasures graue.
It pleased: so he +did.+ Then they march forward braue.
9 did. > did, _1596_
1 "Then is it best," said he, "that you do leave
is it > [it is]
he > [Trompart]
2 Your treasure here in some security,
3 Either fast closed in some hollow greave,
fast closed > closely shut in, closely hidden
hollow > hollow; _also:_ false, insincere
greave > thicket (cognate with "grove"); _or perhaps, in view of
310.54:2:_ grave: hole in the ground, trench (so contrasting with
the private meaning intended by Trompart at line 8)
4 Or buried in the ground from jeopardy,
5 Till we return again in safety:
6 As for us two, lest doubt of us you have,
7 Hence far away we will blindfolded lie,
8 Nor privy be to your treasure's grave."
9 It pleased: so he did. Then they march forward brave.
310.43
Now when amid the thickest woods they were,
2 They heard a noyse of many bagpipes shrill,
And shrieking Hububs them approching nere,
4 Which all the forrest did with horror fill:
That dreadfull sound the boasters hart did thrill,
6 With such amazement, that in haste he fled,
Ne euer looked backe for good or ill,
8 And after him eke fearefull _Trompart_ sped;
The old man could not fly, but fell to ground halfe ded.
1 Now when amid the thickest woods they were,
2 They heard a noise of many bagpipes shrill,
bagpipes > (A symbol of debauchery)
3 And shrieking hubbubs them approaching near,
4 Which all the forest did with horror fill:
5 That dreadful sound the boaster's heart did thrill
thrill > pierce
6 With such amazement that in haste he fled,
amazement > consternation
7 Nor ever looked back for good or ill,
ill > evil
8 And after him eke fearful Trompart sped;
eke > also
9 The old man could not fly, but fell to ground half dead.
fly > flee
310.44
Yet afterwards close creeping, as he might,
2 He in a bush did hide his fearefull hed,
The iolly _Satyres_ full of fresh delight,
4 Came dauncing forth, and with them nimbly led
Faire +_Helenore_+, with girlonds all bespred,
6 Whom their May-lady they had newly made:
She proud of that new honour, which they red,
8 And of their louely fellowship full glade,
Daunst liuely, and her face did with a Lawrell shade.
5 _Helenore_ > _Hellenore 1609_
1 Yet afterwards (close creeping as he might,
close > [as] close, [as] closely; [as] secretly
might > could
2 He in a bush did hide his fearful head)
3 The jolly satyrs, full of fresh delight,
jolly > jolly; lustful
4 Came dancing forth, and with them nimbly led
5 Fair Hellenore, with garlands all bespread,
6 Whom their May-lady they had newly made:
May-lady > Queen of the May (girl chosen to be queen of the games on
Mayday)
7 She, proud of that new honour which they read,
read > [had] declared, _hence:_ had announced
8 And of their lovely fellowship full glad,
lovely > loving
full > very, exceedingly
9 Danced lively, and her face did with a laurel shade.
lively > livelily
laurel > laurel wreath (the laurel is sacred to Apollo, god of the
sun, song and music)
310.45
The silly man that in the thicket lay
2 Saw all this goodly sport, and grieued sore,
Yet durst he not against it doe or say,
4 But did his hart with bitter thoughts engore,
To see th'vnkindnesse of his _Hellenore_.
6 All day they daunced with great lustihed,
And with their horned feet the greene grasse wore,
8 The whiles their Gotes vpon the brouzes +fed,+
Till drouping _Ph{oe}bus_ gan to hide his golden hed.
8 fed, > fed. _1590, 1596_
1 The silly man that in the thicket lay
silly > helpless; silly
2 Saw all this goodly sport, and grieved sore,
3 Yet dared he not against it do or say,
4 But did his heart with bitter thoughts engore,
engore > wound deeply
5 To see the unkindness of his Hellenore.
unkindness > unnatural behaviour; _perhaps also:_ unkindness
6 All day they danced with great lustihead,
lustihead > lustiness, vigour; lustfulness
7 And with their horned feet the green grass wore,
8 The whiles their goats upon the browses fed,
The whiles > Meanwhile; while
browses > tender shoots, buds
9 Till drooping Phoebus began to hide his golden head.
310.46
Tho vp they gan their merry pypes to trusse,
2 And all their goodly heards did gather round,
But euery _Satyre_ first did giue a busse
4 To _Hellenore_: so busses did abound.
Now gan the humid vapour shed the ground
6 With perly deaw, and +th'Earthes+ gloomy shade
Did dim the brightnesse of the welkin round,
8 That euery bird and beast awarned made,
To shrowd themselues, whiles sleepe their senses did inuade.
6 th'Earthes > the Earthes _1609_
1 Tho up they began their merry pipes to truss,
Tho > Then
truss > pack
2 And all their goodly herds did gather round,
3 But every satyr first did give a buss
buss > kiss (_OED_ cites Robert Herrick (1591-1674): "We busse our
Wantons, but our Wives we kisse")
4 To Hellenore: so busses did abound.
5 Now gan the humid vapour shed the ground
gan > did
shed > sprinkle
6 With pearly dew, and the earth's gloomy shade
7 Did dim the brightness of the welkin round:
welkin > {The apparent arch or vault of heaven overhead}
8 That every bird and beast awarned made,
every > [all severally: all the birds and beasts]
awarned > warned (WU)
9 To shroud themselves, while sleep their senses did invade.
shroud > shelter
310.47
Which when +_Melbecco_+ saw, out of +his+ bush
2 Vpon his +hands+ and feete he crept full light,
And like a Gote emongst the Gotes did rush,
4 That through the helpe of his faire hornes on hight,
And misty dampe of misconceiuing night,
6 And eke through likenesse of his gotish beard,
He did the better counterfeite aright:
8 So home he marcht emongst the horned heard,
That none of all the _Satyres_ him espyde or heard.
1 _Melbecco_ > _Malbecco 1590, 1609_
1 his > the _1609_
2 hands > hand _1596_
1 Which when Malbecco saw, out of his bush
2 Upon his hands and feet he crept full light,
full light > very quickly
3 And like a goat amongst the goats did rush,
4 That through the help of his fair horns on high,
That > [So that]
horns > (His cuckold's horns have become substantial)
5 And misty damp of misconceiving night,
misconceiving > {Giving a false impression}
6 And eke through likeness of his goatish beard,
eke > also
likeness > [the] resemblance (i.e. to the goats' beards)
7 He did the better counterfeit aright:
counterfeit > disguise [himself]
8 So home he marched amongst the horned herd,
9 That none of all the satyrs him espied or heard.
That > [So that]
310.48
At night, when all they went to sleepe, he vewd,
2 Whereas his louely wife emongst them lay,
Embraced of a _Satyre_ rough and rude,
4 Who all the night did minde his ioyous play:
Nine times he heard him come aloft ere day,
6 That all his hart with gealosie did swell;
But yet that nights ensample did bewray,
8 That not for nought his wife them loued so well,
When one so +oft+ a night did ring his matins bell.
9 oft > ought _1609_
1 At night, when all they went to sleep, he viewed
all they > [they all]
2 Where his lovely wife amongst them lay,
lovely > lovely; loving
3 Embraced of a satyr rough and rude,
of > by
4 Who all the night did mind his joyous play:
5 Nine times he heard him come aloft ere day,
6 That all his heart with jealousy did swell;
That > [So that]
7 But yet that night's example did bewray
bewray > reveal
8 That not for naught his wife them loved so well,
9 When one so oft a night did ring his matins bell.
310.49
So closely as he could, he to them crept,
2 When wearie of their sport to sleepe they fell,
And to his wife, that now full soundly slept,
4 He whispered in her eare, and did her tell,
That it was he, which by her side did dwell,
6 And therefore prayd her wake, to heare him plaine.
As one out of a dreame not waked well,
8 She turned her, and returned backe againe:
Yet her for to awake he did the more constraine.
1 So closely as he could, he to them crept
closely > close, closely; secretly
2 When, weary of their sport, to sleep they fell,
3 And to his wife, that now full soundly slept:
full > very
4 He whispered in her ear, and did her tell
5 That it was he, who by her side did dwell,
6 And therefore prayed her wake, to hear him plain.
prayed her wake > [entreated her to awake]
plain > plainly; _also:_ complain, lament
7 As one out of a dream not waked well
8 She turned her, and returned back again:
her > [herself]
9 Yet her to awake he did the more constrain.
310.50
At last with irkesome trouble she abrayd;
2 And then perceiuing, that it was indeed
Her old _Malbecco_, which did her vpbrayd,
4 With loosenesse of her loue, and loathly deed,
She was astonisht with exceeding dreed,
6 And would haue wakt the _Satyre_ by her syde;
But he her prayd, for mercy, or for meed,
8 To saue his life, ne let him be descryde,
But hearken to his lore, and all his counsell +hyde+.
9 hyde > byde _my conjecture: bide = endure, undergo, remain true
to_
1 At last with irksome trouble she abraid;
irksome > weary
abraid > started; _hence:_ awoke
2 And then perceiving that it was indeed
3 Her old Malbecco who did her upbraid,
4 With looseness of her love, and loathly deed,
loathly > loathsome, disgusting
5 She was astonished with exceeding dread,
astonished > stunned; bewildered
6 And would have woken the satyr by her side;
7 But he her prayed, for mercy, or for meed,
prayed > entreated
meed > reward (i.e. for his former support)
8 To save his life, nor let him be descried,
9 But hearken to his lore, and all his counsel hide.
lore > advice; orders
hide > (See Textual Appendix)
310.51
Tho gan he her perswade, to leaue that lewd
2 And loathsome life, of God and man abhord,
And home returne, where all should be renewd
4 With perfect peace, and bandes of fresh accord,
And she receiu'd againe to bed and bord,
6 As if no trespasse euer had bene donne:
But she it all refused at one word,
8 And by no meanes would to his will be wonne,
But chose emongst the iolly _Satyres_ still to wonne.
1 Tho gan he her persuade to leave that lewd
Tho gan > Then did
persuade > counsel strongly
2 And loathsome life, of God and man abhorred,
of > by
3 And home return, where all should be renewed
4 With perfect peace, and bonds of fresh accord,
5 And she received again to bed and board,
6 As if no trespass ever had been done:
trespass > {Commission of sin or transgression}
7 But she it all refused at one word,
at one word > at once; without more ado
8 And by no means would to his will be won,
won > persuaded
9 But chose amongst the jolly satyrs still to won.
jolly > jolly; lustful
still > ever, for ever
won > live
310.52
He wooed her, till day +spring+ he espyde;
2 But all in vaine: and then turnd to the heard,
Who butted him with hornes on euery syde,
4 And trode downe in the durt, where his hore beard
Was fowly dight, and he of death afeard.
6 Early before the heauens fairest light
Out of the ruddy East was fully reard,
8 The heardes out of their foldes were loosed quight,
And he emongst the rest crept forth in sory plight.
1 spring > springs _1596_
1 He wooed her till day-spring he espied,
day-spring > daybreak
2 But all in vain: and then turned to the herd,
turned > returned
3 Who butted him with horns on every side,
4 And trod down in the dirt, where his hoar beard
hoar > grey; ancient
5 Was foully dight, and he of death afeared.
dight > arranged, dressed; _hence:_ befouled
afeared > made frightened
6 Early, before the heavens' fairest light
7 Out of the ruddy east was fully reared,
8 The herds out of their folds were loosed quite,
9 And he amongst the rest crept forth in sorry plight.
sorry > sorry; painful, distressing
310.53
So soone as he the Prison dore did pas,
2 He ran as fast, as both his feete could beare,
And neuer looked, who behind him was,
4 Ne scarsely who before: like as a Beare
That creeping close, amongst the hiues to reare
6 An hony combe, the wakefull dogs espy,
And him assayling, sore his carkasse teare,
8 That hardly he with life away does fly,
Ne stayes, till safe himselfe he see from ieopardy.
1 So soon as he the prison door did pass,
prison door > [the point at which he was far enough away to escape
detection]
2 He ran as fast as both his feet could bear,
3 And never looked who behind him was,
looked > [looked to see]
4 Nor scarcely who before: like a bear
5 That, creeping close amongst the hives to rear
close > secretly; close
rear > gather, collect (usu. said of fines, rents, etc.)
6 A honeycomb, the wakeful dogs espy
7 And, him assailing, sore his carcase tear,
8 That hardly he with life away does fly,
That > [So that]
hardly > with difficulty
fly > flee
9 Nor stays, till safe himself he sees from jeopardy.
stays > delays
310.54
Ne stayd he, till he came vnto the place,
2 Where late his treasure he entombed had,
Where when he found it not (for _Trompart_ bace
4 Had it purloyned for his maister bad:)
With extreme fury he became quite mad,
6 And ran away, ran with himselfe away:
That who so straungely had him seene bestad,
8 With vpstart haire, and staring eyes dismay,
From Limbo lake him late escaped sure would say.
1 Nor stayed he till he came to the place
2 Where late his treasure he entombed had,
late > recently
3 Where when he found it not (for Trompart base
4 Had it purloined for his master bad);
5 With extreme fury he became quite mad,
6 And ran away, ran with himself away:
7 That who so strangely had him seen bestad,
That who so strangely had him seen bestad > [So that whoever had
seen him so strangely beset]
8 With upstart hair, and staring eyes' dismay,
upstart > upstanding
9 From Limbo-lake him late escaped sure would say.
Limbo-lake > (The pit of hell; Limbo is the region at the edge of
hell where the unbaptized are confined; "lake" comes to us via
Latin from the Greek _lakkos_, = pit, hollow, hole (filled with
water or not))
310.55
High ouer hilles and ouer dales he fled,
2 As if the wind him on his winges had borne,
Ne banck nor bush could stay him, when he sped
4 His nimble feet, as treading still on thorne:
Griefe, and despight, and gealosie, and scorne
6 Did all the way him follow hard behind,
And he himselfe himselfe loath'd so forlorne,
8 So shamefully forlorne of womankind;
That as a Snake, still lurked in his wounded mind.
1 High over hills and over dales he fled,
2 As if the wind him on its wings had borne,
3 Neither bank nor bush could stay him when he sped
stay > hinder
4 His nimble feet, as treading still on thorn:
still > ever
5 Grief, and Despite, and Jealousy, and Scorn
Despite > Rage; Malice (personified, as a fragment of his own
disintegrating mind, together with Grief, Jealousy, and Scorn:
see Upton (1758))
6 Did all the way him follow hard behind,
hard > closely; fiercely, strenuously; cruelly
7 And he himself himself loathed so forlorn,
8 So shamefully forlorn of womankind:
of > by
9 That, as a snake, still lurked in his wounded mind.
as > like
snake > (Traditionally associated with jealousy: see 311.1)
310.56
Still fled he forward, looking backward still,
2 Ne stayd his flight, nor fearefull agony,
Till that he came vnto a rockie hill,
4 Ouer the sea, suspended dreadfully,
That liuing creature it would terrify,
6 To looke adowne, or vpward to the hight:
From thence he threw himselfe dispiteously,
8 All desperate of his fore-damned spright,
That seem'd no helpe for him was left in liuing sight.
1 Still fled he forward, looking backward still,
Still > Still; continuously
2 Nor stayed his flight, nor fearful agony,
stayed > delayed
agony > anguish
3 Till he came to a rocky hill
4 Over the sea, suspended dreadfully,
5 That living creature it would terrify
That > [So that; that]
6 To look adown, or upward to the height:
adown > down
7 From thence he threw himself dispiteously,
dispiteously > pitilessly
8 All desperate of his fore-damned spirit,
desperate of > despairing of, without hope for
fore-damned > [damned beforehand, by his former conduct]
9 That seemed no help for him was left in living sight.
That > [So that it; such that]
310.57
But through long anguish, and selfe-murdring thought
2 He was so wasted and forpined quight,
That all his substance was consum'd to nought,
4 And nothing left, but like an aery Spright,
That on the rockes he fell so flit and light,
6 That he thereby receiu'd no hurt at all,
But chaunced on a craggy cliff to light;
8 Whence he with crooked clawes so long did crall,
That at the last he found a caue with entrance small.
1 But through long anguish, and self-murdering thought,
2 He was so wasted and forpined quite,
forpined > {Caused to pine, caused to starve}
3 That all his substance was consumed to naught,
4 And nothing left but like an airy sprite,
like > [something resembling]
5 That on the rocks he fell so flit and light,
That > [So that]
flit > unsubstantial; _or:_ fleet: evanescent, shifting
6 That he thereby received no hurt at all,
thereby > thereby, as a result; there
7 But chanced on a craggy cliff to light;
light > alight
8 Whence he with crooked claws so long did crawl
9 That at the last he found a cave with entrance small.
310.58
Into the same he creepes, and thenceforth there
2 Resolu'd to build his balefull mansion,
In drery darkenesse, and continuall feare
4 Of that rockes fall, which euer and anon
Threates with huge ruine him to fall vpon,
6 That he dare neuer sleepe, but that one eye
Still ope he keepes for that occasion;
8 Ne euer rests he in tranquillity,
The roring billowes beat his bowre so boystrously.
1 Into the same he creeps, and thenceforth there
2 Resolved to build his baleful mansion,
baleful > miserable, unhappy; deadly
mansion > lodging, place of abode
3 In dreary darkness, and continual fear
4 Of that rock's fall, which ever and anon
ever and anon > always and straightway; _hence:_ ever, continuously
5 Threats with huge ruin him to fall upon,
Threats > Threatens
ruin > {The act of collapse of a building, etc.}
6 That he dares never sleep, but that one eye
That > [So that]
one > [one remaining]
7 Still ope he keeps for that occasion;
Still ope > Ever open
8 Ne ever rests he in tranquillity:
Ne ever > Never, and never
9 The roaring billows beat his bower so boisterously.
bower > dwelling, chamber
boisterously > violently, fiercely
310.59
Ne euer is he wont on ought to feed,
2 But toades and frogs, his pasture poysonous,
Which in his cold complexion do breed
4 A filthy bloud, or humour rancorous,
Matter of doubt and dread suspitious,
6 That doth with curelesse care consume the hart,
Corrupts the stomacke with gall vitious,
8 Croscuts the liuer with internall smart,
And doth transfixe the soule with deathes eternall dart.
1 Ne ever is he wont on aught to feed
Ne ever > And never, never
wont > accustomed
2 But toads and frogs, his pasture poisonous,
pasture > food, sustenance
3 Which in his cold complexion do breed
complexion > combination of humours ("cold" or "hot", "moist" or
"dry". The "humours", in medieval physiology, were the four
chief fluids of the body: blood, phlegm, choler and melancholy.
A person's temperament was determined by the relative proportions
of these four cardinal humours)
4 A filthy blood, or humour rancorous,
5 Matter of doubt and dread suspicious,
doubt > fear
6 That does with cureless care consume the heart,
7 Corrupts the stomach with gall vicious,
stomach > stomach; _also:_ spirit, pride
vicious > foul, noxious; impure; morbid, diseased
8 Cross-cuts the liver with internal smart,
liver > {The supposed seat of love and violent passion; also: one
who is alive}
smart > pain, acute pain
9 And does transfix the soul with death's eternal dart.
310.60
Yet can he neuer dye, but dying liues,
2 And doth himselfe with sorrow new sustaine,
That death and life attonce vnto him giues.
4 And painefull pleasure turnes to pleasing paine.
There dwels he euer, miserable swaine,
6 Hatefull both to him selfe, and euery wight;
Where he through priuy griefe, and horrour vaine,
8 Is woxen so deform'd, that he has quight
Forgot he was a man, and _Gealosie_ is hight.
1 Yet can he never die, but dying lives,
2 And does himself with sorrow new sustain,
3 That death and life at once to him gives:
at once > together
4 And painful pleasure turns to pleasing pain.
5 There dwells he ever, miserable swain,
swain > {Fellow, man of low degree; also: gallant, lover}
6 Hateful both to himself and every wight;
wight > person, creature
7 Where he, through privy grief and horror vain,
privy > secret, hidden
vain > futile; empty; foolish
8 Is waxed so deformed, that he has quite
Is waxed > Has become
9 Forgotten he was a man, and Jealousy is hight.
hight > called