_The maske of Cupid, and th'enchaunted
2 Chamber are displayd,
Whence Britomart redeemes faire
4 Amoret, through charmes decayd._
1 The Masque of Cupid, and the enchanted
2 Chamber are displayed,
3 Whence Britomart redeems fair
4 Amoret, through charms decayed.
charms > magic spells
decayed > wasted, debilitated
312.1
THo when as chearlesse Night ycouered had
2 Faire heauen with an vniuersall cloud,
That euery wight dismayd with darknesse sad,
4 In silence and in sleepe themselues did shroud,
She heard a shrilling Trompet sound aloud,
6 Signe of nigh battell, or got victory;
Nought therewith daunted was her courage proud,
8 But rather stird to cruell enmity,
Expecting euer, when some foe she might descry.
1 Tho when cheerless Night covered had
Tho > Then
Night > (Nox; see 304.55 ff.)
2 Fair heaven with a universal cloud,
3 That every wight, dismayed with darkness sad,
That > [So that]
every > [all severally: all the wights; cf. 301.58:1]
wight > person, creature
sad > sad; heavy
4 In silence and in sleep themselves did shroud,
shroud > conceal
5 She heard a shrilling trumpet sound aloud,
6 Sign of nigh battle, or got victory;
7 Naught therewith daunted was her courage proud,
therewith > with that
courage > spirit
8 But rather stirred to cruel enmity,
9 Expecting ever when some foe she might descry.
Expecting ever > Waiting continuously
when > [for the time when]
312.2
With that, an hideous storme of winde arose,
2 With dreadfull thunder and lightning atwixt,
And an earth-quake, as if it streight would lose
4 The worlds foundations from his centre fixt;
A direfull stench of smoke and sulphure mixt
6 Ensewd, whose noyance fild the fearefull sted,
From the fourth houre of night vntill the sixt;
8 Yet the bold _Britonesse_ was nought ydred,
Though much emmou'd, but stedfast still perseuered.
1 With that, a hideous storm of wind arose,
hideous > terrific; _hence:_ violent (cf. 101.6:6)
2 With dreadful thunder and lightning atwixt,
atwixt > between; _hence:_ also, mixed in
3 And an earthquake, as if it straight would loose
straight > straightway, immediately
4 The world's foundations from its centre fixed;
centre fixed > [fixed centre]
5 A direful stench of smoke and sulphur mixed
direful > terrible, dreadful
6 Ensued, whose noyance fild the fearful stead
noyance > annoyance
fild > filled; _or:_ defiled (cf. 105.32:2 etc.)
stead > place
7 From the fourth hour of night until the sixth;
the fourth hour of night > [10 p.m.]
sixth > [midnight]
8 Yet the bold Britoness was naught adrad,
adrad > frightened
9 Though much enmoved, but steadfast still persevered.
enmoved > moved
persevered > remained [where she was]
312.3
All suddenly a stormy whirlwind blew
2 Throughout the house, that clapped euery dore,
With which that yron wicket open flew,
4 As it with mightie leuers had bene tore:
And forth issewd, as on the ready flore
6 Of some Theatre, a graue personage,
That in his hand a branch of laurell bore,
8 With comely haueour and count'nance sage,
Yclad in costly garments, fit for tragicke Stage.
1 All suddenly a stormy whirlwind blew
2 Throughout the house, that clapped every door,
clapped > slammed
3 With which that iron wicket open flew,
wicket > {Small door or gate made in or placed beside a large one;
hence: door: see 311.54:7}
4 As it with mighty levers had been torn:
As > [As if]
torn > forced
5 And forth issued, as on the ready floor
ready > prepared [as if for a performance, with an expectant
audience]
6 Of some theatre, a grave personage,
7 That in his hand a branch of laurel bore,
8 With comely haviour and countenance sage,
haviour > deportment, bearing
9 Clad in costly garments, fit for tragic stage.
312.4
Proceeding to the midst, he still did stand,
2 As if in mind he somewhat had to say,
And to the vulgar beckning with his hand,
4 In signe of silence, as to heare a play,
By liuely actions he gan bewray
6 Some argument of matter passioned;
Which doen, he backe retyred soft away,
8 And passing by, his name discouered,
_Ease_, on his robe in golden letters cyphered.
1 Proceeding to the midst, he still did stand,
2 As if in mind he somewhat had to say,
somewhat > something
3 And to the vulgar beckoning with his hand,
vulgar > common people (typically, the groundlings in the pit of the
theatre)
4 In sign of silence, as to hear a play,
5 By lively actions he gan bewray
gan bewray > did reveal
6 Some argument of matter passioned;
argument > subject-matter [of the show about to be performed]
matter passioned > [the] matter expressed [in the show]
7 Which done, he back retired soft away,
8 And, passing by, his name discovered:
discovered > revealed
9 _Ease_, on his robe in golden letters ciphered.
ciphered > written
312.5
The noble Mayd, still standing all this vewd,
2 And merueild at his strange intendiment;
With that a ioyous fellowship issewd
4 Of Minstrals, making goodly meriment,
With wanton Bardes, and Rymers impudent,
6 All which together sung full chearefully
A lay of loues delight, with sweet +concent+:
8 After whom marcht a iolly company,
In manner of a maske, enranged orderly.
7 concent > consent _1596_
1 The noble maid, still standing, all this viewed,
2 And marvelled at his strange intendiment;
intendiment > intention, purpose
3 With that, a joyous fellowship issued
fellowship > body, company
4 Of minstrels, making goodly merriment,
merriment > entertainment (cf. _Midsummer-night's Dream_ III ii 146)
5 With wanton bards, and rhymers impudent,
wanton > playful; lewd
rhymers > versifiers; "Chroniclers" (cf. 105.3)
impudent > shameless, indelicate
6 All which together sang full cheerfully
full > very
7 A lay of love's delight, with sweet concent:
lay > song
concent > harmony, accord
8 After whom marched a jolly company,
jolly > handsome; fine; jolly
9 In manner of a masque, enranged orderly.
enranged > arranged
orderly > in an orderly fashion; in order
312.6
The whiles a most delitious harmony,
2 In full straunge notes was sweetly heard to sound,
That the rare sweetnesse of the melody
4 The feeble senses wholly did confound,
And the fraile soule in deepe delight nigh dround:
6 And when it ceast, shrill trompets loud did bray,
That their report did farre away rebound,
8 And when they ceast, it gan againe to play,
The whiles the maskers marched forth in trim aray.
1 The whiles a most delicious harmony,
The whiles > Meanwhile
2 In full strange notes, was sweetly heard to sound,
full > exceedingly
3 That the rare sweetness of the melody
That > [So that]
4 The feeble senses wholly did confound,
5 And the frail soul in deep delight nigh drowned:
frail > weak; morally weak
6 And when it ceased, shrill trumpets loud did bray,
bray > {Make a loud harsh jarring sound; applied esp. to trumpets}
7 That their report did far away rebound;
That > [So that]
report > response; note
rebound > re-echo, reverberate
8 And when they ceased, it began again to play,
9 While the maskers marched forth in trim array.
masker > {One who takes part in a masque}
trim > good, well-ordered; _also, in ironical use:_ fine, nice,
pretty
312.7
The first was _Fancy_, like a louely boy,
2 Of rare aspect, and beautie without peare;
Matchable +either+ to that ympe of _Troy_,
4 Whom _Ioue_ did loue, and chose his cup to beare,
Or that same daintie lad, which was so deare
6 To great _Alcides_, that when as he dyde,
He wailed womanlike with many a teare,
8 And euery wood, and euery valley wyde
He fild with _Hylas_ name; the Nymphes eke _Hylas_ cryde.
3 either > ether _1590_
1 The first was Fancy, like a lovely boy,
2 Of rare aspect, and beauty without peer;
aspect > appearance; countenance, expression
3 Matchable either to that imp of Troy,
Matchable > Comparable
that imp of Troy > (Ganymede: see 311.34:4-9; imp = child, scion)
4 Whom Jove did love, and chose his cup to bear,
5 Or that same dainty lad, who was so dear
dainty > {Handsome, of delicate beauty}
lad > (Hylas, a youth who accompanied Hercules on board the _Argo_.
When Hylas died, the distraught Hercules wandered the shore
crying his name)
6 To great Alcides that, when he died,
7 He wailed womanlike with many a tear,
8 And every wood, and every valley wide
9 He filled with Hylas' name; the nymphs eke "Hylas!" cried.
nymphs > (Nymphs are the minor female divinities with whom the
Greeks peopled all parts of nature: the seas, springs, rivers,
grottoes, trees, mountains. Here the reference is to the naiads,
who carried Hylas off when he went ashore to fetch fresh water)
eke > also
312.8
His garment +neither+ was of silke nor say,
2 But painted plumes, in goodly order dight,
Like as the sunburnt _Indians_ do aray
4 Their tawney bodies, in their proudest plight:
As those same plumes, so seemd he vaine and light,
6 That by his gate might easily appeare;
For still he far'd as dauncing in delight,
8 And in his hand a windy fan did beare,
That in the idle aire he mou'd still here and there.
1 neither > nether _1590_
1 His garment neither was of silk nor say,
say > {A thin material used for cloaks, etc.}
2 But painted plumes, in goodly order dight,
dight > arranged
3 Like the sunburnt Indians do array
Like > [Like those with which]
Indians > [North American Indians]
4 Their tawny bodies in their proudest plight:
plight > attire, dress
5 As those same plumes, so seemed he vain and light,
6 That by his gate might easily appear;
gate > manner, way of behaving
7 For still he fared as dancing in delight,
still > ever
fared > acted; made his way
as > [as though]
8 And in his hand a windy fan did bear,
windy > {Producing wind}
9 That in the idle air he moved still here and there.
idle > empty
still > continuously
312.9
And him beside marcht amorous _Desyre_,
2 Who seemd of riper yeares, then th'other Swaine,
Yet was that +other+ swayne this elders syre,
4 And gaue him being, commune to them twaine:
His garment was disguised very vaine,
6 And his embrodered Bonet sat awry;
Twixt both his hands few sparkes he close did straine,
8 Which still he blew, and kindled busily,
That soone they life conceiu'd, and forth in flames did fly.
3 other > others _1590, 1596_
1 And him beside marched amorous Desire,
him beside > [beside him]
2 Who seemed of riper years than the other swain,
swain > young man; fellow
3 Yet was that other swain this elder's sire,
sire > father (i.e. Fancy is the father of Desire)
4 And gave him being, common to them twain:
them twain > the two of them
5 His garment was disguised very vain,
disguised > {To "disguise" is to alter the fashion or guise of
clothing, and to dress in an unusual, fantastic, ostentatious, or
inappropriate manner. Here, "disguised" might be taken to mean
"got up"}
6 And his embroidered bonnet sat awry;
bonnet > cap
7 'Twixt both his hands few sparks he close did strain,
few > [a few]
close > closely; secretly
strain > clasp tightly
8 Which still he blew, and kindled busily,
still > ever, continually
9 That soon they life conceived, and forth in flames did fly.
That > [So that]
312.10
Next after him went _Doubt_, who was yclad
2 In a discolour'd cote, of straunge disguyse,
That at his backe a brode Capuccio had,
4 And sleeues dependant _Albanese_-wyse:
He lookt askew with his mistrustfull eyes,
6 And nicely trode, as thornes lay in his way,
Or that the flore to shrinke he did auyse,
8 And on a broken reed he still did stay
His feeble steps, which shrunke, when hard theron he lay.
1 Next after him went Doubt, who was clad
Next > Immediately
2 In a discoloured coat of strange disguise,
discoloured > varicoloured
disguise > {New or strange, often ostentatious, fashion}
3 That at his back a broad capuccio had,
capuccio > hood (Italian word, used specifically of the cloaks of
capuchin monks; named after Capuccio in Florio)
4 And sleeves dependent Albanese-wise:
dependent > hanging down
Albanese-wise > (?In the fashion of the Albanians. Hamilton (1980)
suggests a possible reference to the garment called an alb, a
white tunic reaching to the feet. Roche (1978) interprets
"Albanese" as "Scottish" (cf. 210.29:7). The term is puzzling in
any case)
5 He looked askew with his mistrustful eyes,
askew > askance, obliquely
6 And nicely trod, as thorns lay in his way,
nicely > delicately, cautiously
as > [as though]
7 Or the floor to shrink he did advise,
shrink > collapse, give way
advise > perceive
8 And on a broken reed he still did stay
still > ever
stay > support
9 His feeble steps, which shrank when hard thereon he laid.
shrank > gave way (referring to the reed)
laid > imposed a burden; _hence:_ leaned
312.11
With him went _Daunger_, +cloth'd+ in ragged weed,
2 Made of Beares skin, that him more dreadfull made,
Yet his owne face was dreadfull, ne did need
4 Straunge horrour, to deforme his griesly shade;
A net in th'one hand, and rustie blade
6 In th'other was, this Mischiefe, that Mishap;
With th'one his foes he threatned to inuade,
8 With th'other he his friends ment to enwrap:
For whom he could not kill, he practizd to entrap.
1 cloth'd > cloth' _1596_
1 With him went Danger, clothed in ragged weed
weed > raiment, apparel
2 Made of bearskin, that him more dreadful made,
3 Yet his own face was dreadful, nor did need
4 Strange horror to deform his grisly shade;
Strange > Added, adventitious
deform > disfigure
grisly shade > fearsome image
5 A net in the one hand, and rusty blade
rusty > blood-stained; dirty; rusty
6 In the other was, this Mischief, that Mishap;
Mischief > Injury (evidently referring to the knife)
7 With the one his foes he threatened to invade,
invade > make an attack upon, assault; _hence:_ stab
8 With the other he his friends meant to enwrap:
meant > intended; _also, perhaps, in view of the spelling:_ ment
(ppl. of "meng"): joined, attached, _hence:_ ensnared
9 For whom he could not kill, he practised to entrap.
whom > [he whom]
practised > planned, intended; made it his habit
312.12
Next him was _Feare_, all arm'd from top to toe,
2 Yet thought himselfe not safe enough thereby,
But feard each shadow mouing to +and+ fro,
4 And his owne armes when glittering he did spy,
Or clashing heard, he fast away did fly,
6 As ashes pale of hew, and +wingyheeld;+
And euermore on daunger fixt his eye,
8 Gainst whom he alwaies bent a brasen shield,
Which his right hand vnarmed fearefully did wield.
3 and > or _1590_
6 wingyheeld; > winged heeld, _1590_
1 Next him was Fear, all armed from top to toe,
Next > Immediately after
2 Yet thought himself not safe enough thereby,
3 But feared each shadow moving to and fro;
4 And his own arms when glittering he did spy,
arms > {Arms and armour. This line becomes clearer if it is recast:
"And when his own arms glittering he did spy ..."}
5 Or clashing heard, he fast away did fly,
fly > flee
6 As ashes pale of hue, and wingy-heeled;
wingy > {Having wings; here in the manner of Mercury}
7 And evermore on Danger fixed his eye,
8 Gainst whom he always bent a brazen shield,
Gainst > Against
bent > directed
9 Which his right hand, unarmed, fearfully did wield.
unarmed > (I.e. he does not carry a sword)
312.13
With him went _Hope_ in rancke, a handsome Mayd,
2 Of chearefull looke and louely to behold;
In silken samite she was light arayd,
4 And her faire lockes were wouen vp in gold;
She alway smyld, and in her hand did hold
6 An holy water Sprinckle, dipt in deowe,
With which she sprinckled fauours manifold,
8 On whom she list, and did great liking sheowe,
Great liking vnto many, but true loue to feowe.
1 With him went Hope in rank, a handsome maid,
in rank > in a row, _hence:_ beside him
2 Of cheerful look and lovely to behold;
cheerful > lively
3 In silken samite she was light arrayed,
samite > {A rich silk fabric worn in the Middle Ages, sometimes
interwoven with gold}
light > lightly
4 And her fair locks were woven up in gold;
5 She alway smiled, and in her hand did hold
alway > always
6 A holy water sprinkle dipped in dew,
sprinkle > sprinkler (used for sprinkling holy water)
7 With which she sprinkled favours manifold
8 On whom she list, and did great liking show:
list > chose, pleased
9 Great liking to many, but true love to few.
312.14
And after them _Dissemblance_, and _Suspect_
2 Marcht in one rancke, yet an vnequall paire:
For she was gentle, and of milde aspect,
4 Courteous to all, and seeming debonaire,
Goodly adorned, and exceeding faire:
6 Yet was that all but painted, and purloynd,
And her bright browes were deckt with borrowed haire:
8 Her deedes were forged, and her words false coynd,
And alwaies in her hand two clewes of silke she twynd.
1 And after them Dissemblance and Suspect
Dissemblance > Dissimulation
Suspect > Suspicion
2 Marched in one rank, yet an unequal pair:
an unequal > [they made] an ill-matched
3 For she was gentle, and of mild aspect,
mild > gracious, kind
aspect > appearance; countenance, expression
4 Courteous to all, and seeming debonair,
debonair > affable, gracious
5 Goodly adorned, and exceeding fair:
Goodly > Beautifully
6 Yet was that all but painted, and purloined,
7 And her bright brows were decked with borrowed hair:
bright > beautiful
8 Her deeds were forged, and her words false coined,
false > false (qualifying "words"); falsely (qualifying "coined")
coined > devised, produced (usu. in a bad sense)
9 And always in her hand two clews of silk she twined.
clews > balls (of yarn, traditionally used to find one's way out of
a maze. Cf. 201.8:3-4)
312.15
But he was foule, ill fauoured, and grim,
2 Vnder his eyebrowes looking still askaunce;
And euer as _Dissemblance_ laught on him,
4 He lowrd on her with daungerous eyeglaunce;
Shewing his nature in his +countenance+;
6 His rolling eyes did neuer rest in place,
But walkt each where, for feare of hid mischaunce,
8 Holding a lattice still before his face,
Through which he still did peepe, as forward he did pace.
5 countenance > countenaunce _1590_
1 But he was foul, ill-favoured, and grim,
ill-favoured > ugly
2 Under his eyebrows looking still askance;
still > ever
3 And ever as Dissemblance laughed on him,
laughed on > smiled on, favoured
4 He loured on her with dangerous eye-glance,
dangerous > {Difficult to deal with; not affable}
5 Showing his nature in his countenance;
6 His rolling eyes did never rest in place,
7 But walked each where, for fear of hidden mischance,
walked each where > roved everywhere
mischance > disaster; mischance
8 Holding a lattice still before his face,
lattice > {That which is like a lattice; hence: mask}
still > ever; motionless
9 Through which he still did peep, as forward he did pace.
312.16
Next him went _Griefe_, and _Fury_ matched yfere;
2 _Griefe_ all in sable sorrowfully clad,
Downe hanging his dull head, with heauy chere,
4 Yet inly being more, then seeming sad:
A paire of Pincers in his hand he had,
6 With which he pinched people to the hart,
That from thenceforth a wretched life they lad,
8 In wilfull languor and consuming smart,
Dying each day with inward wounds of dolours dart.
1 Next him went Grief and Fury, matched yfere;
Next > Immediately after
yfere > together
2 Grief all in sable sorrowfully clad,
sable > black, black clothing (esp. as a symbol of mourning)
3 Down hanging his dull head with heavy cheer,
dull > sluggish, listless
heavy > heavy; sad, grievous
cheer > expression, countenance; mood
4 Yet inly being more than seeming sad:
inly > inwardly
seeming > apparently; [he is] apparently (i.e. inwardly he is not as
sad as he seems)
5 A pair of pincers in his hand he had,
6 With which he pinched people to the heart,
7 That from thenceforth a wretched life they led,
That > [So that]
8 In wilful languor and consuming smart,
languor > sorrow; lassitude; illness
smart > pain, acute pain
9 Dying each day with inward wounds of dolour's dart.
312.17
But _Fury_ was full ill appareiled
2 In rags, that naked nigh she did appeare,
With ghastly lookes and dreadfull drerihed;
4 For from her backe her garments she did teare,
And from her head oft rent her snarled heare:
6 In her right hand a +firebrand she did tosse+
About her head, still roming here and there;
8 As a dismayed Deare in chace embost,
Forgetfull of his safety, hath his right way lost.
6 firebrand she did tosse > fierbrand she tost _conj. Church_
1 But Fury was full ill apparelled
full > very, exceedingly
ill > badly, poorly; evilly
2 In rags, that naked nigh she did appear,
that naked nigh > [so that almost naked]
3 With ghastly looks and dreadful drearihead:
ghastly > {Frightful, evoking terror of the supernatural}
looks > appearance (as in "good looks"); glances
drearihead > dreariness, melancholy
4 For from her back her garments she did tear,
5 And from her head oft rent her snarled hair;
rent > tore
6 In her right hand a firebrand she did toss
toss > shake, brandish
7 About her head, still roaming here and there:
still > continually
8 As a dismayed deer, in chase embossed,
dismayed > defeated, overwhelmed; dismayed
chase > [the chase]
embossed > driven to extremity
9 Forgetful of its safety, has its right way lost.
312.18
After them went _Displeasure_ and _Pleasance_,
2 He looking lompish and full sullein sad,
And hanging downe his heauy countenance;
4 She chearefull fresh and full of ioyance glad,
As if no sorrow she ne felt ne +drad+;
6 That euill matched paire they seemd to bee:
An angry Waspe th'one in a viall had
8 Th'other in hers an +hony-lady+ Bee;
Thus marched these sixe couples forth in faire degree.
5 drad > dread _1590_
8 hony-lady > hony-laden _sugg. Upton_
1 After them went Displeasure and Pleasance,
Pleasance > Pleasure
2 He looking lumpish and full sullen sad,
lumpish > sluggish; low-spirited
full > very
sullen > baleful, malignant; sullen; _and adv._
3 And hanging down his heavy countenance;
4 She cheerful fresh and full of joyance glad,
joyance > merrymaking; delight (this word apparently coined by
Spenser)
5 As if no sorrow she neither felt nor dread;
dread > dreaded, feared; dread, fear (object of "felt": in either
case the double negative supplied by "no" is intensive)
6 That evil matched pair they seemed to be:
That > [So that an]
7 An angry wasp the one in a vial had,
8 The other in hers a honey-lady bee;
hers > (Presumably, her vial)
honey-lady bee > honey-laden bee; _or, less likely:_ lady honeybee,
_hence:_ female honeybee, worker bee, queen bee
9 Thus marched these six couples forth in fair degree.
degree > manner; order
312.19
After all these there marcht a most faire Dame,
2 Led of two grysie villeins, th'one _Despight_,
The other cleped _Cruelty_ by name:
4 She dolefull Lady, like a dreary Spright,
Cald by strong charmes out of eternall night,
6 Had deathes owne image figurd in her face,
Full of sad signes, fearefull to liuing sight;
8 Yet in that horror shewd a seemely grace,
And with her feeble feet did moue a comely pace.
1 After all these there marched a most fair dame,
2 Led of two grisy villeins, the one Despite,
of > by
grisy > horrible, grim, grisly
villeins > villains; serfs
Despite > Malice; Rage
3 The other cleped Cruelty by name:
cleped > called
4 She, doleful lady, like a dreary sprite,
dreary > cruel, horrid; _or:_ doleful, melancholy (see below, under
"charms")
sprite > sprite; _or:_ spirit (see below, under "charms")
5 Called by strong charms out of eternal night,
charms > spells (perhaps cast by Busirane: the lady is Amoret. This
and the preceding line give rise to at least three possible
readings. (1) She, doleful lady, (like a cruel sprite Called by
strong charms out of eternal night) Had death's own image ...
(2) She, doleful lady (like a melancholy spirit Called by strong
charms out of eternal night), Had death's own image ... (3) She,
doleful lady (like a melancholy spirit), Called [i.e. summoned by
Busirane] by strong charms out of eternal night, Had death's own
image ...)
6 Had death's own image figured in her face,
7 Full of sad signs, fearful to living sight;
8 Yet in that horror showed a seemly grace,
9 And with her feeble feet did move a comely pace.
comely > pleasing; becoming
312.20
Her brest all naked, as net iuory,
2 Without adorne of gold or siluer bright,
Wherewith the Craftesman wonts it beautify,
4 Of her dew honour was despoyled quight,
And a wide wound therein (O ruefull sight)
6 Entrenched deepe with knife accursed keene,
Yet freshly bleeding forth her fainting spright,
8 (The worke of cruell hand) was to be seene,
That dyde in sanguine red her skin all snowy cleene.
1 Her breast (all naked, as net ivory,
net > pure; clear
2 Without adorn of gold or silver bright,
adorn > adornment
bright > bright; beautiful
3 Wherewith the craftsman wonts it beautify)
Wherewith > With which
wonts it beautify > [is accustomed to beautify it]
4 Of her due honour was despoiled quite,
honour > {Chastity, purity; decoration, adornment; hence: clothing,
decoration which preserves decency}
despoiled > stripped
5 And a wide wound therein (O rueful sight)
6 Entrenched deep with knife accursed keen,
Entrenched > {Cut, made by cutting}
keen > sharp
7 Yet freshly bleeding forth her fainting spirit,
Yet > Still
fainting > {Sluggish, becoming faint}
8 (The work of cruel hand) was to be seen,
9 That dyed in sanguine red her skin all snowy clean.
312.21
At that wide orifice her trembling hart
2 Was drawne forth, and in siluer basin layd,
Quite through transfixed with a deadly dart,
4 And in her bloud yet steeming fresh embayd:
And those two villeins, which her steps vpstayd,
6 When her weake feete could scarcely her sustaine,
And +fading+ vitall powers gan to fade,
8 Her forward +still+ with torture did constraine,
And euermore encreased her consuming paine.
7 fading > failing _conj. Church_
8 still > skill _1590_
1 At that wide orifice her trembling heart
2 Was drawn forth, and in silver basin laid,
3 Quite through transfixed with a deadly dart,
dart > arrow
4 And in her blood yet steaming fresh embayed:
embayed > bathed, steeped
5 And those two villeins (who her steps upstayed
villeins > villains; serfs
upstayed > supported
6 When her weak feet could scarcely her sustain,
7 And fading vital powers began to fade)
8 Her forward still with torture did constrain,
9 And evermore increased her consuming pain.
312.22
Next after her the winged God himselfe
2 Came riding on a Lion rauenous,
Taught to obay the menage of that Elfe,
4 That man and beast with powre imperious
Subdeweth to his +kingdome+ tyrannous:
6 His blindfold eyes he bad a while vnbind,
That his proud spoyle of that same dolorous
8 Faire Dame he might behold in perfect kind;
Which seene, he much reioyced in his cruell mind.
5 kingdome > knigdome _1596_
1 Next after her the winged god himself
Next > Immediately
the winged god > [Cupid]
2 Came riding on a lion ravenous,
ravenous > {Ravenous; given to ravin or robbery}
3 Taught to obey the man{e\}ge of that elf,
man{e\}ge > horsemanship
elf > mischievous child (cf. 311.45:1)
4 Who man and beast with power imperious
5 Subdues to his kingdom tyrannous:
6 His blindfold eyes he bade a while unbind,
blindfold > blindfolded (cf. 311.48:1)
7 That his proud spoil of that same dolorous
That > [So that]
spoil > plunder, spoliation
8 Fair dame he might behold in perfect kind;
kind > manner
9 Which seen, he much rejoiced in his cruel mind.
312.23
Of which full proud, himselfe vp rearing hye,
2 He looked round about with sterne disdaine;
And did suruay his goodly company:
4 And marshalling the euill ordered traine,
With that the darts which his right +hand+ did straine,
6 Full dreadfully he shooke that all did quake,
And clapt on hie his coulourd winges twaine,
8 That all his many it affraide did make:
Tho blinding him againe, his way he forth did take.
5 hand > _omitted from 1590, 1596: FE_
1 Of which full proud, himself up rearing high,
full > very, exceedingly
2 He looked round about with stern disdain;
stern > stern; merciless
3 And did survey his goodly company:
4 And, marshalling the evil ordered train
train > assembly; entourage
5 With the darts which his right hand did strain,
darts > arrows
strain > clasp tightly
6 Full dreadfully he shook (that all did quake)
shook > (This could be glossed as "brandished", taking "the darts"
to be its object, and "With that" to mean "Whereupon")
that > [so that]
7 And clapped on high his coloured wings twain,
twain > two
8 That all his many it afraid did make:
That > [So that]
many > meinie: company
9 Tho blinding him again, his way he forth did take.
Tho blinding > Then blindfolding
him > him (if the blindfolding is done by one of the company: cf.
312.22:6); _or:_ himself
312.24
Behinde him was _Reproch_, _Repentance_, _Shame_;
2 _Reproch_ the first, _Shame_ next, _Repent_ behind:
_Repentance_ feeble, sorrowfull, and lame:
4 _Reproch_ despightfull, carelesse, and vnkind;
_Shame_ most ill fauourd, bestiall, and blind:
6 _Shame_ lowrd, +_Repentance_+ sigh'd, +_Reproch_+ did scould;
+_Reproch_+ sharpe stings, +_Repentance_+ whips entwind,
8 _Shame_ burning brond-yrons in her hand did hold:
All three to each vnlike, yet all made in one mould.
6 _Repentance_ > R_epentance 1596; the printer seems to have run out
of italic capital Rs_
6 _Reproch_ > R_eproch 1596_
7 _Reproch_ > R_eproch 1596_
7 _Repentance_ > R_epentance 1596_
1 Behind him were Reproach, Repentance, Shame;
2 Reproach the first, Shame next, Repentance behind:
3 Repentance feeble, sorrowful, and lame:
4 Reproach despiteful, careless, and unkind;
despiteful > contemptuous; spiteful
careless > without care, indifferent
5 Shame most ill-favoured, bestial, and blind:
ill-favoured > ugly
6 Shame loured, Repentance sighed, Reproach did scold;
7 Reproach sharp stings, Repentance whips entwined,
stings > (Sb.)
whips > (Sb.)
8 Shame burning brandirons in her hand did hold:
brandirons > swords
9 All three to each unlike, yet all made in one mould.
to each unlike > [unlike each other: cf. 105.28:5]
312.25
And after them a rude confused rout
2 Of persons flockt, whose name is hard to read:
Emongst them was sterne _Strife_, and _Anger_ stout,
4 Vnquiet _Care_, and fond _Vnthriftihead_,
Lewd _Losse of Time_, and _Sorrow_ seeming dead,
6 Inconstant _Chaunge_, and false _Disloyaltie_,
Consuming +_Riotise_+, and guilty _Dread_
8 Of heauenly vengeance, faint _Infirmitie_,
Vile _Pouertie_, and lastly _Death_ with infamie.
7 _Riotise_ > R_iotise 1596_
1 And after them a rude confused rout
rude > rough; uncivilized
rout > {Crowd; clamorous or riotous assemblage}
2 Of persons flocked, whose name is hard to read:
read > guess; discern; declare
3 Amongst them was stern Strife, and Anger stout,
stern > merciless, cruel; fierce
stout > proud, arrogant; brave; fierce
4 Unquiet Care, and fond Unthriftihead,
fond > foolish
Unthriftihead > Extravagance, Dissolution
5 Lewd Loss of Time, and Sorrow seeming dead,
Lewd > Ignorant; good for nothing; wanton
6 Inconstant Change, and false Disloyalty,
7 Consuming Riotise, and guilty Dread-
Riotise > Indulgence, Dissipation
8 Of-Heavenly-Vengeance, faint Infirmity,
9 Vile Poverty, and lastly Death with infamy.
Vile > Wretched, lowly
Death with infamy > (Or Death-with-Infamy)
312.26
There were full many moe like maladies,
2 Whose names and natures I note readen well;
So many moe, as there be phantasies
4 In wauering wemens wit, that none can tell,
Or paines in loue, or punishments in hell;
6 +All+ which disguized marcht in masking wise,
About the chamber +with that+ Damozell,
8 And then returned, hauing marched thrise,
Into the inner roome, from whence they first did rise.
6 All > And _1596, 1609_
7 with that > by the _1590, identifying the damsel as Britomart
rather than Amoret_
1 There were full many more like maladies,
full > very
like > similar
2 Whose names and natures I no'te read well;
no'te > cannot
read > declare; discern
3 So many more, as there be fantasies
fantasies > phantoms; hallucinations; fantasies
4 In wavering women's wit, that none can tell,
wavering > (Qualifies "wit" or "wemens", or both)
wit > mind
tell > count; describe
5 Or pains in love, or punishments in hell;
Or > Either
6 All which, disguised, marched in masking wise
masking wise > [the manner of a masque]
7 About the chamber with that damsel,
8 And then returned (having marched thrice)
9 Into the inner room, from whence they first did rise.
rise > appear
312.27
So soone as they were in, the dore streight way
2 Fast locked, driuen with that stormy blast,
Which first it opened; +and bore all away.+
4 Then the braue Maid, which all this while was +plast,+
In secret shade, and saw both first and last,
6 Issewed forth, and went vnto the dore,
To enter in, but found it locked fast:
8 +It+ vaine she thought with rigorous vprore
For to efforce, when charmes had closed it afore.
3 and bore all away. > nothing did remayne. _1590;_ and bore all
away _1596_
4 plast, > plast _1609_
8 It > In _1611_
1 So soon as they were in, the door straightway
2 Fast locked, driven with that stormy blast
Fast > Firmly; closely
locked > locked itself
3 Which first it opened; and bore all away.
and bore all away > (1590 makes better sense: see Textual Appendix)
4 Then the brave maid, who all this while was placed
brave > brave; splendid
5 In secret shade, and saw both first and last,
shade > shadow
6 Issued forth, and went to the door,
7 To enter in, but found it locked fast:
8 It vain she thought with rigorous uproar
rigorous > violent
9 To efforce, when charms had closed it afore.
efforce > gain [entrance] by force; force [it] open (both SUS)
charms > magic spells
312.28
Where force might not auaile, +there+ sleights and art
2 She cast to vse, both fit for hard emprize;
For thy from that same roome not to depart
4 Till morrow next, she did her selfe auize,
When that same Maske againe should forth arize.
6 The morrow next appeard with ioyous cheare,
Calling men to their daily exercize,
8 Then she, as morrow fresh, her selfe did reare
Out of her secret stand, that day for to out weare.
1 there > their _1590, 1596; cf. 110.36:6, 202.30:1, 206.27:9,
211.21:8, 304.41:7_
1 Where force might not avail, there sleights and art
sleights > ruses, stratagems
2 She cast to use, both fit for hard emprise;
cast > decided
emprise > enterprise, undertaking
3 For-thy from that same room not to depart
For-thy > For this reason, therefore
4 Till morrow next she did herself advise,
5 When that same masque again should forth arise.
6 The morrow next appeared with joyous cheer,
cheer > countenance
7 Calling men to their daily exercise,
exercise > habitual employment; _hence:_ work
8 Then she, as morrow fresh, herself did rear
9 Out of her secret stand, that day to outwear.
stand > {Position, position in ambush or cover}
outwear > pass, spend, wear out (used of time)
312.29
All that day she outwore in +wandering+,
2 And gazing on that Chambers ornament,
Till that againe the second euening
4 Her couered with her sable vestiment,
Wherewith the worlds faire beautie she hath blent:
6 Then when the second watch was almost past,
That brasen dore flew open, and in went
8 Bold _Britomart_, as she had late forecast,
Neither of idle +shewes+, nor of false charmes aghast.
1 wandering > wondering _1611_
9 shewes > showes _1590_
1 All that day she outwore in wandering,
outwore > spent
2 And gazing on that chamber's ornament,
ornament > decoration; _or:_ ornament [the statue of Cupid described
at 311.47 ff.]
3 Till again the second evening
4 Her covered with her sable vestiment,
her > [Night's: see 304.55 ff.]
sable > black (cf. 312.16:2)
vestiment > vestment, garment, clothing
5 Wherewith the world's fair beauty she has blended:
Wherewith > With which
blended > stirred up; _hence:_ rendered turbid, obscured; spoiled
6 Then, when the second watch was almost past,
Then > (I.e. just before midnight, since the night was divided into
four watches of three hours each, starting at 6 p.m.)
7 That brazen door flew open, and in went
brazen > {Strong as brass; hardened: it is described as made of
"yron" at 311.54:7 and 312.3:3}
8 Bold Britomart, as she had late forecast,
late > lately
forecast > planned
9 Neither of idle shows, nor of false charms agast.
of idle shows > by empty appearances
of > of; by
charms > spells
agast > frightened
312.30
So soone as she was entred, round about
2 She cast her eies, to see what was become
Of all those persons, which she saw without:
4 But lo, they streight were vanisht all and some,
Ne liuing wight she saw in all that roome,
6 Saue that same woefull Ladie, both whose hands
Were bounden fast, that did her ill become,
8 And her small wast girt round with yron bands,
Vnto a brasen pillour, by the which she stands.
1 So soon as she was entered, round about
2 She cast her eyes, to see what was become
3 Of all those persons whom she saw without:
without > outside
4 But lo, they straight were vanished all and some,
straight > {All the way, continuously to the end; right across;
hence: completely, altogether}
all and some > {In sum total; one and all}
5 Nor living wight she saw in all that room,
wight > creature
6 Save that same woeful lady, both whose hands
Save that same woeful lady > [Except Amoret; but Busirane is visible
too: see 312.31:1]
both > [both of]
7 Were bound fast, that did her ill become,
fast > firmly; very closely
8 And her small waist girt round with iron bands,
9 To a brazen pillar, by which she stands.
To > [Bound to: the verb is understood from line 7]
312.31
And her before the vile Enchaunter sate,
2 Figuring straunge characters of his art,
With liuing bloud he those characters wrate,
4 Dreadfully dropping from her dying hart,
Seeming transfixed with a cruell dart,
6 And all perforce to make her him to loue.
Ah who can loue the worker of her smart?
8 A thousand charmes he formerly did proue;
Yet thousand charmes could not her stedfast heart remoue.
1 And her before the vile enchanter sat,
her before > [before her]
2 Figuring strange characters of his art:
Figuring > Shaping
3 With living blood he those characters wrote,
4 Dreadfully dropping from her dying heart,
5 Seeming transfixed with a cruel dart,
dart > arrow (as 312.21:3)
6 And all perforce to make her him to love.
perforce > by force
7 Ah who can love the worker of her smart?
smart > pain
8 A thousand charms he formerly did prove;
charms > spells
prove > try
9 Yet thousand charms could not her steadfast heart remove.
remove > [turn from Scudamour]
312.32
Soone as that virgin knight he saw in place,
2 His wicked bookes in hast he ouerthrew,
Not caring his long labours to deface,
4 And fiercely ronning to that Lady trew,
A murdrous knife out of his pocket drew,
6 The which he thought, for villeinous despight,
In her tormented bodie to embrew:
8 But the stout Damzell to him leaping light,
His cursed hand withheld, and maistered his might.
1 Soon as that virgin knight he saw in place,
Soon > [As soon]
in place > there
2 His wicked books in haste he overthrew,
3 Not caring his long labours to deface,
deface > destroy
4 And, fiercely running to that lady true,
5 A murderous knife out of his pocket drew,
6 Which he thought, for villainous despite,
despite > malice
7 In her tormented body to imbrue:
imbrue > steep; defile; _hence:_ plunge
8 But the stout damsel, to him leaping light,
stout > brave
light > quickly
9 His cursed hand withheld, and mastered his might.
312.33
From her, to whom his fury first he ment,
2 The wicked weapon rashly he did wrest,
And turning to +her selfe+ his fell intent,
4 Vnwares it strooke into her snowie chest,
That little drops empurpled her faire brest.
6 Exceeding wroth therewith the virgin grew,
Albe the wound were nothing deepe imprest,
8 And fiercely forth her mortall blade she drew,
To giue him the reward for such vile outrage dew.
3 her selfe > the next _1590_
1 From her, to whom his fury first he meant,
meant > intended; _or:_ ment (ppl. of "meng"): joined, attached
2 The wicked weapon rashly he did wrest
rashly > hastily; suddenly
wrest > turn
3 And, turning to herself his fell intent,
herself > [Britomart]
fell > terrible, fierce
4 Unwares it struck into her snowy chest,
Unwares > Unexpectedly (on the part of Britomart); suddenly
5 That little drops empurpled her fair breast.
That > [So that]
empurpled > reddened
6 Exceeding wroth therewith the virgin grew,
therewith > with that; thereupon
7 Albe the wound were nothing deep impressed,
Albe > Although
nothing deep > not at all deeply
8 And fiercely forth her mortal blade she drew,
mortal > lethal
9 To give him the reward for such vile outrage due.
312.34
So mightily she smote him, that to ground
2 He fell halfe dead; next stroke him should haue slaine,
Had not the Lady, which by him stood bound,
4 Dernely vnto +her+ called to abstaine,
From doing him to dy. For else her paine
6 Should be remedilesse, sith none but hee,
Which wrought it, could the same recure againe.
8 Therewith she stayd her hand, loth stayd to bee;
For life she him enuyde, and long'd reuenge to see.
4 her > him _1590, 1596; cf. 312.42_
1 So mightily she smote him that to ground
2 He fell half dead; next stroke him should have slain,
next > [the next]
3 Had not the lady, which by him stood bound,
4 Dernly to her called to abstain
Dernly > Secretly; _also:_ dismally (SUS)
5 From doing him to die. For else her pain
doing > causing
else > otherwise
6 Should be remediless, sith none but he
sith > since
7 Who wrought it could the same recure again.
recure > remedy
8 Therewith she stayed her hand, loath stayed to be;
Therewith > With that; thereupon
9 For life she him envied, and longed revenge to see.
envied > begrudged
312.35
And to him said, Thou wicked man, whose meed
2 For so huge mischiefe, and vile villany
Is death, or if that ought do death exceed,
4 Be sure, that nought may saue thee from to dy,
But if that thou this Dame doe presently
6 Restore vnto her health, and former state;
This doe and liue, else die vndoubtedly.
8 He glad of life, that lookt for death but late,
Did yield himselfe right willing to prolong his date.
1 And to him said, "You wicked man (whose meed
meed > reward
2 For so huge mischief and vile villainy
so > such
mischief > evil; injury
3 Is death, or if aught do death exceed),
if aught do death exceed > [that which is worse than death, if such
a thing exists]
4 Be sure that naught may save you from to die
to die > [dying, death]
5 But if you this dame do presently
But if > Unless
presently > immediately
6 Restore to her health, and former state;
7 This do and live, else die undoubtedly."
8 He, glad of life, that looked for death but late,
looked for > expected
but late > only recently
9 Did yield himself right willing to prolong his date.
right > very
date > term, span of life
312.36
And rising vp, gan streight to ouerlooke
2 Those cursed leaues, his charmes backe to reuerse;
Full dreadfull things out of that balefull booke
4 He red, and measur'd many a sad verse,
That horror gan the virgins hart to perse,
6 And her faire lockes vp stared stiffe on end,
Hearing him those same bloudy lines reherse;
8 And all the while he red, she did extend
Her sword high ouer him, if ought he did offend.
1 And rising up, began straight to overlook
straight > straightway, immediately
overlook > inspect, peruse
2 Those cursed leaves, his charms back to reverse;
leaves > pages; writings
charms > spells
3 Full dreadful things out of that baleful book
Full > Exceedingly
baleful > deadly, woe-dealing
4 He read, and measured many a sad verse,
measured > traversed, _hence:_ read, read through; _also:_ appraised
sad > grievous, calamitous
verse > line, versicle; verse
5 That horror began the virgin's heart to pierce,
That > [So that]
6 And her fair locks upstared stiff on end,
upstared > stood erect
stiff > stiffly; violently
7 Hearing him those same bloody lines rehearse;
rehearse > read aloud, recite
8 And all the while he read, she did extend
9 Her sword high over him, if aught he did offend.
if aught he did offend > [in case in any respect he should be at
fault; in case he did anything wrong]
312.37
Anon she gan perceiue the house to quake,
2 And all the dores to rattle round about;
Yet all that did not her dismaied make,
4 Nor slacke her threatfull hand for daungers dout,
But still with stedfast eye and courage stout
6 Abode, to weet what end would come of all.
At last that mightie chaine, which round about
8 Her tender waste was wound, adowne gan fall,
And that great brasen pillour broke in peeces small.
1 Anon she gan perceive the house to quake,
Anon > Straightway; (catachr.) soon
gan > did
2 And all the doors to rattle round about;
3 Yet all that did not her dismayed make,
4 Nor slack her threatful hand for danger's doubt,
slack > [did it make her slacken]
threatful > threatening
danger's doubt > fear of danger
5 But still with steadfast eye and courage stout
still > ever; motionlessly
courage stout > resolute courage; brave spirit
6 Abode, to weet what end would come of all.
Abode > [She] waited, remained
weet > learn, find out
7 At last that mighty chain, which round about
8 Her tender waist was wound, adown gan fall,
adown gan fall > did fall down
9 And that great brazen pillar broke in pieces small.
312.38
The cruell steele, which thrild her dying hart,
2 Fell softly forth, as of his owne accord,
And the wyde wound, which lately did dispart
4 Her bleeding brest, and riuen bowels gor'd,
Was closed vp, as it had not bene +bor'd+,
6 And euery part to safety full sound,
As she were neuer hurt, was soone restor'd:
8 Tho when she felt her selfe to be vnbound,
And perfect hole, prostrate she fell vnto the ground.
5 bor'd > sor'd _1590_
1 The cruel steel which thrilled her dying heart
thrilled > pierced
2 Fell softly forth, as of its own accord,
3 And the wide wound, which lately did dispart
dispart > divide, cleave asunder
4 Her bleeding breast, and riven bowels gored,
riven > split, torn open
bowels > heart, breast
gored > wounded, pierced, spiked
5 Was closed up, as it had not been bored,
as > [as if]
bored > pierced; _hence:_ made
6 And every part to safety full sound,
full > very
7 As she were never hurt, was soon restored:
As > [As though]
soon > straightway
8 Tho when she felt herself to be unbound,
Tho > Then; though
9 And perfect whole, prostrate she fell to the ground.
312.39
Before faire _Britomart_, she fell prostrate,
2 Saying, Ah noble knight, what worthy meed
Can wretched Lady, quit from wofull state,
4 Yield you in liew of this your gratious deed?
Your vertue selfe her owne reward shall breed,
6 Euen immortall praise, and glory wyde,
Which I your vassall, by your prowesse freed,
8 Shall through the world make to be notifyde,
And goodly well aduance, that goodly well was tryde.
1 Before fair Britomart she fell prostrate,
2 Saying, "Ah noble knight, what worthy meed
meed > reward
3 Can wretched lady, quit from woeful state,
quit > redeemed
4 Yield you in lieu of this your gracious deed?
in lieu of > in place of; _hence:_ as recompense for
5 Your virtue itself its own reward shall breed,
6 Even immortal praise, and glory wide,
7 Which I, your vassal, by your prowess freed,
vassal > slave
prowess > valour
8 Shall through the world make to be notified,
notified > proclaimed
9 And goodly well advance that goodly well was tried."
advance > extol
that > that which [Britomart's prowess]
tried > demonstrated
312.40
But _Britomart_ vprearing her from ground,
2 Said, Gentle Dame, reward enough I weene
For many labours more, then I haue found,
4 This, that in safety now I haue you seene,
And meane of your deliuerance haue beene:
6 Henceforth faire Lady comfort to you take,
And put away remembrance of late teene;
8 In stead thereof know, that your louing Make,
Hath no lesse griefe endured for your gentle sake.
1 But Britomart, uprearing her from ground,
uprearing > raising
2 Said, "Gentle dame, reward enough I ween,
Gentle > Noble
ween > expect, anticipate; think likely
3 For many labours more than I have found,
4 This, that in safety now I have you seen,
that > [in that]
5 And mean of your deliverance have been:
mean > instrument, agent
6 Henceforth, fair lady, comfort to you take,
7 And put away remembrance of late teen;
late > recent
teen > affliction, woe
8 Instead thereof, know that your loving make
make > companion, lover, consort
9 Has no less grief endured for your gentle sake."
312.41
She was much cheard to heare him mentiond,
2 Whom of all liuing wights she loued best.
Then laid the noble Championesse strong hond
4 Vpon th'enchaunter, which had her distrest
So sore, and with foule outrages opprest:
6 With that great chaine, wherewith not long ygo
He bound that pitteous Lady prisoner, now relest,
8 Himselfe she bound, more worthy to be so,
And captiue with her led to wretchednesse and wo.
1 She was much cheered to hear him mentioned,
2 Whom of all living wights she loved best.
wights > people
3 Then laid the noble championess strong hand
4 Upon the enchanter, who had her distressed
5 So sore, and with foul outrages oppressed:
6 With that great chain, wherewith not long ago
wherewith > with which
7 He bound that piteous lady prisoner, now released,
8 Himself she bound, more worthy to be so,
9 And captive with her led to wretchedness and woe.
312.42
Returning backe, those goodly roomes, which erst
2 +She+ saw so rich and royally arayd,
Now vanisht vtterly, and cleane subuerst
4 +She+ found, and all their glory quite decayd,
That sight of such a chaunge +her+ much dismayd.
6 Thence forth descending to that perlous Porch,
Those dreadfull flames she also found delayd,
8 And quenched quite, like a consumed torch,
That erst all entrers wont so cruelly to scorch.
2 She > He _1590_
4 She > He _1590: FE_
5 her > him _1590: FE_
1 Returning back, those goodly rooms, which erst
goodly > beautiful
erst > formerly; lately
2 She saw so rich and royally arrayed,
3 Now vanished utterly, and clean subversed
subversed > subverted, razed to the ground
4 She found, and all their glory quite decayed:
decayed > destroyed
5 That sight of such a change her much dismayed.
6 Thence forth descending to that perilous porch,
7 Those dreadful flames she also found delayed,
delayed > allayed, quelled, abated
8 And quenched quite, like a consumed torch,
9 That erst all enterers wont so cruelly to scorch.
erst > formerly; recently
wont > were accustomed
312.43
Stanzas 43-5 were first printed in the 1596 edition, replacing stanzas
43-7 of the 1590 edition, which are shown at the end of this file.
More easie issew now, then entrance late
2 She found: for now that fained dreadfull flame,
Which chokt the porch of that enchaunted gate,
4 And passage bard to all, that thither came,
Was vanisht quite, as it were not the same,
6 And gaue her leaue at pleasure forth to passe.
Th'Enchaunter selfe, which all that fraud did frame,
8 To haue efforst the loue of that faire lasse,
Seeing his worke now wasted deepe engrieued was.
1 More easy issue now, than entrance late
late > recently
2 She found: for now that feigned dreadful flame
3 (Which choked the porch of that enchanted gate,
4 And passage barred to all that thither came)
5 Was vanished quite, as it were not the same,
as > [as though]
6 And gave her leave at pleasure forth to pass.
7 The enchanter himself, who all that fraud did frame,
frame > make, design; _hence:_ bring about
8 To have efforced the love of that fair lass,
efforced > gained by force (SU)
9 Seeing his work now wasted, deep engrieved was.
deep engrieved > deeply grieved
312.44
But when the victoresse arriued there,
2 Where late she left the +pensife+ _Scudamore_,
With her owne trusty Squire, both full of feare,
4 Neither of them she found where she them lore:
Thereat her noble hart was stonisht sore;
6 But most faire _Amoret_, whose gentle spright
Now gan to feede on hope, which she before
8 Conceiued had, to see her owne deare knight,
Being thereof beguyld was fild with new affright.
2 pensife > pensiue _1609_
1 But when the victoress arrived there,
2 Where late she left the pensive Scudamour,
late > recently
pensive > anxious; sorrowful (as 311.41:6)
3 With her own trusty squire, both full of fear,
her own trusty squire > [Glauce, Britomart's nurse: see 303.61]
4 Neither of them she found where she them lore:
lore > forsook, left (catachr.)
5 Thereat her noble heart was stonished sore;
Thereat > As a result of that; thereupon
stonished > stunned
6 But most fair Amoret, whose gentle spirit
gentle > noble; gentle
7 Now began to feed on hope, which she before
8 Conceived had, to see her own dear knight,
9 Being thereof beguiled, was fild with new affright.
thereof beguiled > deprived of that; cheated of that
fild > filled; defiled (cf. 105.32:2 etc.)
affright > terror
312.45
But he sad man, when he had long in drede
2 Awayted there for _Britomarts_ returne,
Yet saw her not nor signe of her good speed,
4 His expectation to despaire did turne,
Misdeeming sure that her those flames did burne;
6 And therefore gan aduize with her old Squire,
Who her deare nourslings losse no lesse did mourne,
8 Thence to depart for further aide t'enquire:
Where let them wend at will, whilest here I doe respire.
1 But he, sad man, when he had long in dread
2 Awaited there for Britomart's return,
Awaited > Waited
3 Yet saw her not, nor sign of her good speed,
good speed > success
4 His expectation to despair did turn,
5 Misdeeming sure that her those flames did burn;
Misdeeming > Supposing erroneously
6 And therefore gan advise with her old squire,
gan advise > did consult
7 Who her dear nursling's loss no less did mourn,
8 Thence to depart, for further aid to inquire:
9 Where let them wend at will, whilst here I do respire.
respire > recover breath
(End of Book III, Canto xii and of Volume I)
312.43 (1590)
At last she came vnto the place, where late
2 She left Sir _Scudamour_ in great distresse,
Twixt dolour and despight halfe desperate,
4 Of his loues succour, of his owne redresse,
And of the hardie _Britomarts_ successe:
6 There on the cold earth him now thrown she found,
In wilfull anguish, and dead heauinesse,
8 And to him cald; whose voices knowen sound
Soone as he heard, himself he reared light from ground.
1 At last she came to the place where late
late > recently
2 She left Sir Scudamour in great distress,
3 'Twixt dolour and despite half desperate,
dolour > dolour; physical suffering; grief
despite > rage; malice
4 Of his love's succour, of his own redress,
his love > [Amoret]
redress > means of redress; assistance
5 And of the hardy Britomart's success:
6 There on the cold earth him now thrown she found,
7 In wilful anguish, and dead heaviness,
heaviness > grief, sadness; anger
8 And to him called; whose voice's known sound
9 Soon as he heard, himself he reared light from ground.
Soon > [As soon]
light > quickly; lightly
312.44 (1590)
There did he see, that most on earth him ioyd,
2 His dearest loue, the comfort of his dayes,
Whose too long absence him had sore annoyd,
4 And wearied his life with dull delayes:
Straight he vpstarted from the loathed layes,
6 And to her ran with hasty egernesse,
Like as a Deare, that greedily embayes
8 In the coole soile, after long thirstinesse,
Which he in chace endured hath, now nigh breathlesse.
that > [that; she whom]
1 There did he see, that most on earth him joyed,
joyed > gladdened, delighted
2 His dearest love, the comfort of his days,
3 Whose too long absence him had sore annoyed,
annoyed > afflicted
4 And wearied his life with dull delays:
dull > {Causing depression; slow}
5 Straight he upstarted from the loathed lea,
Straight > Straightway, immediately
upstarted > got up
lea > ground; _often grassland, hence also:_ turf, sward
6 And to her ran with hasty eagerness,
7 Like a deer, that greedily embays
greedily > eagerly
embays > bathes
8 In the cool soil after long thirstiness,
soil > {Pool or stretch of water used by as a refuge by a hunted
deer}
9 Which it in chase endured has, now nigh breathless.
312.45 (1590)
Lightly he clipt her twixt his armes twaine,
2 And streightly did embrace her body bright,
Her body, late the prison of sad paine,
4 Now the sweet lodge of loue and deare delight:
But she faire Lady ouercommen quight
6 Of huge affection, did in pleasure melt,
And in sweete rauishment pourd out her spright:
8 No word they spake, nor earthly thing they felt,
But like two senceles stocks in long embracement dwelt.
1 Lightly he clipped her 'twixt his arms twain,
Lightly > Quickly
clipped > embraced
twain > two
2 And straitly did embrace her body bright,
straitly > tightly
bright > beautiful
3 Her body, late the prison of sad pain,
late > lately
sad > heavy, grievous; sad
4 Now the sweet lodge of love and dear delight:
5 But she, fair lady, overcome quite
6 Of huge affection, did in pleasure melt,
Of > By
7 And in sweet ravishment poured out her spirit:
8 No word they spoke, nor earthly thing they felt,
9 But like two senseless stocks in long embracement dwelt.
stocks > {Tree-trunks, taken as the type of what is motionless}
312.46 (1590)
Had ye them seene, ye would haue surely thought,
2 That they had beene that faire _Hermaphrodite_,
Which that rich _Romane_ of white marble wrought,
4 And in his costly Bath causd to bee site:
So seemd those two, as growne together quite,
6 That _Britomart_ halfe enuying their blesse,
Was much empassiond in her gentle sprite,
8 And to her selfe oft wisht like happinesse,
In vaine she wisht, that fate n'ould let her yet possesse.
1 Had you them seen, you would have surely thought
2 That they had been that fair Hermaphroditus,
had been > [were]
Hermaphroditus > (Son of Hermes and Aphrodite (Venus). The nymph of
the fountain of Salmacis, near Halicarnassus, fell in love with
him but could not win his affections. One day, as he was bathing
in the fountain, she embraced him and prayed that she might be
united with him for ever. Her prayer was granted, and their
bodies became one, while retaining the characteristics of either
sex. See _Met._ 4.285-388. The statue of which Spenser speaks,
and its owner, have not been identified)
3 Which that rich Roman of white marble wrought,
4 And in his costly bath caused to be site:
site > placed
5 So seemed those two, as grown together quite,
6 That Britomart, half envying their bliss,
7 Was much empassioned in her gentle spirit,
empassioned > {Moved or touched with deep feeling}
gentle > noble; gentle
8 And to herself oft wished like happiness:
like > similar
9 In vain she wished that fate nould let her yet possess.
that > [that which]
nould > would not
312.47 (1590)
Thus doe those louers with sweet counteruayle,
2 Each other of loues bitter fruit despoile.
But now my teme begins to faint and fayle,
4 All woxen weary of their iournall toyle:
Therefore I will their sweatie yokes assoyle
6 At this same furrowes end, till a new day:
And ye faire Swayns, after your long turmoyle,
8 Now cease your worke, and at your pleasure play;
Now cease your worke; to morrow is an holy day.
1 Thus do those lovers, with sweet countervail,
countervail > reciprocation
2 Each other of love's bitter fruit despoil.
3 But now my team begins to faint and fail,
team > (Typically, of oxen or horses: here perhaps a reference to
the Muses Clio and Calliope)
faint > grow weak
4 All waxed weary of their journal toil:
waxed > grown
journal > daily; _or:_ viatical (a "journal" was also a day's
travel, or any journey; hence "iournall toil" = "travel",
"progress")
5 Therefore I will their sweaty yokes assoil
assoil > pardon, absolve; _hence:_ release, do away with
6 At this same furrow's end, till a new day:
7 And you, fair swains, after your long turmoil,
swains > _perhaps:_ young men (addressing the "learned throng" of
100.1:8); _or:_ lovers (meaning Scudamour and Amoret)
8 Now cease your work, and at your pleasure play;
9 Now cease your work; tomorrow is a holy-day.
holy-day > {Day set aside for religious observance; day on which
work is suspended; holiday}
FINIS.
=> PRINTER'S CONTRACTIONS
A number of words contain contractions which enabled the printer better
to fit the line on the page. Since these are a device of the printer
rather than the author, the contractions are given in their expanded
form in the text and listed separately here.
Except for the ampersand, the contractions consist of a letter (a, e, o,
or u) with a tilde above it. In this list, "a-tilde" is shown as
"{a~}". The long "s" is shown as "/".
The contractions used in the copy text (excluding the introductory
material and stanzas 43-7 of Book III in the 1590 edition) are as
follows:
Contraction Expands to Occurrences Per cent
{a~} am 1 0.61
{a~} an 10 6.06
{e~} em 9 5.45
{e~} en 24 14.55
{o~} om 14 8.48
{o~} on 13 7.88
{u~} un 7 4.24
& and 87 52.73
101.5:9 Whom to auenge, /he had this Knight from far c{o~}peld.
101.6:9 And this faire couple eke to /hroud th{e~}/elues were fain.
101.17:9 The /troke down fr{o~} her head vnto her /houlder glaun/t.
101.24:9 A /treame of cole black bloud forth gu/hed fr{o~} her cor/e.
101.36:4 Sweet /l{o~}bring deaw, the which to /leepe them biddes.
101.39:9 Whiles /ad Night ouer him her m{a~}tle black doth /pred.
102.6:7 Had /pent his lampe, & brought forth dawning light,
102.7:9 Then gan /he waile & weepe, to /ee that woefull /towre.
102.17:9 And /treames of purple bloud new dies the verd{a~}t fields.
102.34:9 That many err{a~}t knights hath brought to wretchedne//e.
103.36:9 Life from _Sansfoy_ thou took/t, _San/loy_ /hall fr{o~} thee take.
103.41:8 His corage more, that fr{o~} his griping pawes
104.29:4 Who/e wealth was want, who/e pl{e~}ty made him pore,
104.33:9 Trembling through ha/ty rage, wh{e~} choler in him /weld.
104.36:9 Dead /culs & bones of men, who/e life had gone a/tray.
105.6:9 The yron walles to ward their blowes are weake & fraile.
105.28:7 Vnle//e /he cha{u~}/t their /tubborne mouths to twitch;
105.38:3 Fr{o~} /urging gulf two mon/ters /traight were brought,
105.43:9 Great paines, & greater prai/e, both neuer to be donne.
105.46:9 Where they /hould liue in woe, & die in wretchedne//e.
106.6:2 Does throw out thrilling /hriekes, & /hrieking cryes,
106.19:9 Fr{o~} her own wor/hip, they her A//e would wor/hip fayn.
106.33:9 That they the woods are pa/t, & come now to the plaine.
107.3:3 Which through the tr{e~}bling leaues full gently playes
107.11:8 Through that fraile fo{u~}taine, which him feeble made,
107.44.9 He has them now foure yeres be/iegd to make th{e~} thrall.
108.1:9 For who/e deliuer{a~}ce /he this Prince doth thither guide.
108.38:6 For now three Moones haue ch{a~}ged thrice their hew,
109.2:9 Should die vnknown, & buried be in thankle//e thought.
109.16:9 True Loues are oft{e~} /own, but /eldom grow on ground.
109.42:9 Wh{e~} houre of death is come, let none aske whence, nor why.
110.5:9 For /treight & narrow was the way, which he did /how.
110.31:3 Whom /till /he fed, whiles they were weake & young,
110.57:9 More deare vnto their God, then yo{u~}glings to their dam.
110.60:9 For bloud can nought but /in, & wars but /orrowes yield.
110.67:7 Through pa//ing brightne//e, which did quite c{o~}found
111.8:9 Was /wolne with wrath, & poy/on, & with bloudy gore.
111.18:9 Snatcht vp both hor/e & man, to beare them quite away.
111.22:9 That flames of fire he threw forth fr{o~} his large no/ethrill.
111.28:2 With heat, toyle, wounds, armes, /mart, & inward fire
112.13:2 With /haumes, & trompets, & with Clarions /weet;
201.P3:9 He w{o~}der would much more: yet /uch to /ome appeare.
201.10:9 Witne//e ye heau{e~}s, whom /he in vaine to helpe did call.
201.12:9 The /trick{e~} Deare doth chalenge by the bleeding wound.
201.24:2 Through woods & mountaines, till they came at la/t
201.52:3 And then with words & weedes of wondrous might,
202.6:9 And thenceforth were renowmd, & /ought from place to place.
202.24:9 Does ride on both their backs, & faire her /elfe doth /aue.
202.29:9 That more to mighty h{a~}ds, th{e~} rightfull cau/e doth tru/t.
202.31:3 Weake /he makes /tr{o~}g, & /tr{o~}g thing does increace,
202.33:9 Their minds to plea/ure, & their mouthes to dainty fare.
202.46:9 They wi/t their houre was /p{e~}t; th{e~} each to re/t him hyes.
203.2:9 T'auenge his Par{e~}ts death on them, that had it wrought.
203.43:9 Depart to woods vntoucht, & leaue /o proud di/daine?
203.44:9 Wh{e~} fir/t I heard her horne /ound with /uch gha/tline//e.
204.2:9 Teach him the weake to /tr{e~}gthen, & the /tr{o~}g /uppre//e.
204.7:9 And where he hits, nought knowes, & whom he hurts, nought cares.
204.27:1 The Maid{e~} proud through pray/e, and mad through loue
204.33:2 Through wounds, & /trokes, & /tubborne handeling,
204.33:9 But all your hurts may /oone through t{e~}perance be ea/d.
204.40:3 But wh{e~}ce /hould come that harme, which thou doe/t /eeme
204.44:8 Then loe, where bound /he /its, wh{o~} thou ha/t /ought,
204.45:3 That knights & knighthood doe/t with /hame vpbray,
204.45:4 And /hew/t th'en/{a~}ple of thy childi/h might,
205.5:6 Thereby thine armes /eeme /tr{o~}g, but m{a~}hood fraile;
205.22:9 That armd with fire, more hardly he mote him with/t{o~}d.
205.27:6 Whom then /he does transforme to m{o~}/trous hewes,
205.29:9 Did breath out bounteous /mels, & painted colors /hew.
205.36:8 Through many a /troke, & many a /treaming wound,
205.38:9 And _Atin_ aie him pricks with /purs of /hame & wrong.
207.A:3 _Is by him tempted, & led downe,_
207.3:2 Couer'd with boughes & /hrubs from heauens light,
207.5:9 The antique /hapes of kings and ke/ars /traunge & rare.
207.11:3 Sheilds, /teeds, and armes, & all things for thee meet
207.13:9 So mak'/t thou kings, & gayne/t wrongfull gouernement.
207.19:9 From heauens /ight, and powre of all which th{e~} pur/ew.
207.21:9 And both did gna/h their teeth, & both did threaten life.
207.25:9 Here Sleep, there Riche//e, & Hel-gate th{e~} both betwext.
207.37:9 Till that him thus be/pake their /oueraigne Lord & /ire.
207.43:8 With crownes and Diademes, & titles vaine,
207.45:9 Th{e~}ceforth /he /ought for helps, to cloke her crime withall.
208.13:9 Your /elfe his prowe//e prou'd & found him fiers & bold.
208.31:9 Right /owre, & feele the law, the which thou ha/t defa/t.
208.32:8 And through his /houlder pier/t; wherwith to gro{u~}d
208.40:5 Glad was the knight, & with fre/h courage fraught,
208.40:9 Emong/t the /hepheard /waynes, then wexeth wood & yond.
209.19:4 Braunched with gold & pearle, mo/t richly wrought,
209.20:9 She graunted, & them leading forth, the /ame did /hew.
209.36:9 As if /ome pen/iue thought c{o~}/traind her gentle /pright.
209.47:2 This parts great workman/hip, & wondrous powre,
209.53:2 Thence brought th{e~} to the /econd roome, who/e wals
209.54:9 But _Alma_ thence th{e~} led to th'hindmo/t roome of three.
209.55:4 Right firme & /trong, though /omewhat they declind,
209.57:8 Some made in books, /ome in long parchm{e~}t /crolles,
210.5:9 By /ea to haue bene fr{o~} the _Celticke_ mayn-land brought.
210.15:3 Which through the world th{e~} /warmd in euery part,
210.17:9 Fr{o~} _Guendolene_ his wife, though alwaies faithfull prou'd.
210.40:5 And ran/ackt _Greece_ well tryde, wh{e~} they were wroth;
210.42:9 Tho/e yet of her be _Merti{a~}_ lawes both nam'd & thought.
210.48:9 Nought el/e, but trea/on, from the fir/t this l{a~}d did foyle.
210.66:5 Through his faire daughters face, & flattring word;
210.73:9 A bridge of bras, who/e /ound heau{e~}s thunder /eem'd to bee.
211.19:5 Wh{e~} the wroth We/tern wind does reaue their locks;
211.44:9 From th'earth, & from her wombe new /pirits to reprize.
212.1:9 M{o~}g/t thou/and dangers, & ten thou/and magick mights.
212.32:9 The worlds /weet In, from paine & weari/ome turmoyle.
212.51:9 That /till it breathed forth /weet /pirit & hole/ome /mell.
212.81:9 Tryde all her arts, & all her /leights, thence out to wre/t.
212.82:4 They tooke them both, & both them /trongly bound
301.6:3 That /eem'd both /hield & plate it would haue riued;
301.6:9 That mi/chieuous mi/chance his life & limbes did /pare.
301.14:9 Saue Beares, Lions, & Buls, which romed them around.
301.28:9 Then to the next /he rode, & downe the next did beare.
301.53:2 With /ighes, and /obs, and plaints, & piteous griefe,
301.56:9 With whom he meant to make his /port & courtly play.
301.58:8 Where through long watch, & late dayes weary toile,
301.58:9 She /oundly /lept, & carefull thoughts did quite a//oile.
301.67:9 They tooke their /teeds, & forth vp{o~} their iourney went.
303.2:9 Which the late world admyres for wondrous monim{e~}ts.
303.7:9 When /o he coun/eld with his /prights enc{o~}pa/t round.
303.60:9 Both /peare & /hield of great powre, for her purpo/e fit.
303.61:9 Them/elues they forth conuayd, & pa//ed forward right.
304.8:9 Which in the/e troubled bowels raignes, & rageth rife.
304.15:9 Decline her head, & touch her crouper with her crowne.
304.38:9 To /ee friends graue, th{e~} dead the graue /elfe to engro//e.
304.46:1 Through thick and thin, through mountaines & through plains,
304.46:2 Tho/e two great ch{a~}pions did attonce pur/ew
305.3:9 Thicke fore/t, was be/cratcht, & both his feet nigh lame.
305.33:9 She with her /carfe did bind the wound fr{o~} cold to keepe.
306.4:6 The/e two were twinnes, & twixt them two did /hare
306.29:2 Where mo/t /he wonnes, wh{e~} /he on earth does dwel.
306.43:9 Threw forth mo/t dainty odours, & mo/t /weet delight.
306.44:8 That nether _Ph{oe}bus_ beams could through th{e~} throng,
307.21:2 With herbs, with charms, with co{u~}/ell, & with teares,
309.10:9 And threatned him with force & puni/hment extreme.
309.15:9 Confounds both land & /eas, and skyes doth ouerca/t.
309.16:9 Then drew he his bright /word, & gan about him throw.
309.18:9 Though nought beleu'd, & entra{u~}ce late did not refu/e.
309.48:3 Whom hauing /laine, through luckles arrowes gla{u~}ce
309.48:9 And great adu{e~}tures found, that now were l{o~}g to /ayne.
309.49:9 That fed on liuing fle/h, & druncke mens vitall blood.
311.36:9 Yet was thy loue her death, & her death was thy /mart.
311.46:1 Kings Queenes, Lords Ladies, Knights & Damzels gent
311.51:9 For loue in thou/and m{o~}/trous formes doth oft appeare.
311.52:6 Their /werds & /peres were broke, & hauberques rent;
312.9:9 That /oone they life conceiu'd, & forth in flames did fly.
In five places, the ligatured "ss" is used. This resembles an overlarge
Greek beta, and is shown here as a dollar sign.
104.15:3 But to _Due$_' each one him/elfe did paine
202.35:1 _Eli$a_ (/o the elde/t hight) did deeme
207.52:1 There mournfull _Cypre$e_ grew in greate/t /tore,
210.47:1 Whil/t they were young, _Ca$ibalane_ their Eme
210.52:4 His daughter _Genui$_' in marriage:
=> BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
Colossians
1 Corinthians
Daniel
Deuteronomy
Ecclesiastes
Ephesians
Exodus
Galatians
Genesis
Hebrews
Hosea
Isaiah
Job
Gospel According to John
Joshua
Judges
2 Kings
Luke
Matthew
Psalms
Revelation
Romans
Song of Solomon
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
2. PLAYS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
in Alexander (1951)
Antony and Cleopatra
As You Like It
Cymbeline
Hamlet
Henry VIII
Julius Caesar
King Lear
Macbeth
A Midsummer-night's Dream
Othello
Richard III
Romeo and Juliet
Twelfth Night
Winter's Tale
3. WORKS OF EDMUND SPENSER
The Shepheardes Calender
The Faerie Queene
Teares of the Muses
Virgil's Gnat
Mother Hubberds Tale
Ruines of Rome
Muiopotmos
Colin Clouts Come Home Againe
Amoretti
Epithalamion
A Vewe of the present state of Irelande
4. A CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF EDITIONS OF FQ
4.1. EDITIONS PUBLISHED BEFORE 1900
Quarto of 1590
Quarto of 1596
Folio of 1609
Folio of 1617
Folio of 1679
J. Hughes, 1715
T. Birch, 1751
J. Upton, 1758
R. Church, 1758-9
H. J. Todd, 1805
F. J. Child, 1855
J. P. Collier, 1862
R. Morris, 1869, revised 1896
A. B. Grosart, 1882-4
Kate M. Warren, 1897-1900
4.2. EDITIONS PUBLISHED AFTER 1900
Dodge, R. E. N. (1908) _The Complete Poetical Works of Edmund
Spenser_. Boston
Smith, J. C. (1909) _Spenser's Faerie Queene_, Oxford University
Press
Morris, R. (1910) _The Faerie Queene_, Dent, Dutton [text of the
1869 edition, which favours 1590; reprints its glossary
but without the page references]
Smith, J. C. and E. de Selincourt (1912) _The Poetical Works of
Edmund Spenser_, Oxford University Press [a paperback
edition was issued in 1970, ISBN 0 19 281070 7]
Greenlaw, E. A., F. M. Padelford, C. G. Osgood, et al. (1932-63)
The Works of Edmund Spenser: a Variorum Edition (11
volumes) including: PROSE WORKS (1949), LIFE (1945)
and INDEX (1963), Oxford University Press, John Hopkins
Press
Greenlaw, E. A., F. M. Padelford, C. G. Osgood, et al. (1966) The
Works of Edmund Spenser: a Variorum Edition, John
Hopkins University [11 vols: reprint of 1932-49
edition]
Kermode, Frank (1965) Edmund Spenser: Selections from the Minor
Poems and _The Faerie Queene_
Bayley, P. C. (1965) Spenser: _The Faerie Queene_, Book II,
Oxford University Press
Bayley, P. C. (1966) Spenser: _The Faerie Queene_, Book I, Oxford
University Press
Spenser, Edmund (1976) _The Faerie Queene_, Scolar Press, ISBN 0
85967 239 5 [facsimile of 1596 edition; used as the
copy text for this edition]
Morris, R. (1976) _The Faerie Queene_: A Selection, Dent, Dutton,
ISBN 0 460 00443 3 [taken from the 1910 Everyman
edition]
Hamilton, A. C. (1977) Spenser: _The Faerie Queene_, Longman, 0
582 48106 6 [this reprints Smith's scrupulous 1909 text
and provides an indispensable commentary]
Hamilton, A. C. (1980) Spenser: _The Faerie Queene_, Longman, 0
582 49705 1 [paperback edition, with minor revisions,
of 0 582 48106 6]
Roche, T. P. and C. P. O'Donnell (1981) Spenser: _The Faerie
Queene_, Yale University Press, ISBN 0 300 02705 2
[with commentary; also available in Penguin paperback,
ISBN 0 14 042207 2]
Jussawalla, M. (1982) Spenser: _The Faerie Queene_, Book I,
Orient Longman, India, ISBN 0 86131 185 X
Brooks-Davies, D. (1987) Spenser: _The Faerie Queene_, Books I-
III, Dent, Dutton, ISBN 0 460 15443 5
5. COMPLETE LISTING OF WORKS CITED
Adlington, William (1566) (trans.), _Lucius Apuleius, The Golden
Ass_. London (Abbey Classics, 1922)
Alexander, P. (1951) (ed.), _William Shakespeare: The Complete
Works_. London
Apuleius, Lucius: see Adlington, William (1566)
Ariosto, Lodovico (1619) _Orlando Furioso_: see Ceserani (1962),
Hough (1962)
Aristotle: see McKeon (1941)
Bayley, P. C. (1965) _Spenser: The Faerie Queene_, Book II.
Oxford
Bayley, P. C. (1966) _Spenser: The Faerie Queene_, Book I.
Oxford
Boas, F. S. (1908-9) _Poetical Works of Giles Fletcher and
Phineas Fletcher._ Cambridge
Boccaccio (1472) _De Genealogia Deorum Gentilium_. Venice [also
published in Basel, 1532]
Brewer, E. Cobham (1894) _The Dictionary of Phrase and Fable_.
London
Brooks-Davies, D. (1987) Spenser: _The Faerie Queene_, Books I-
III. London
Camden, William (1586) _Britannia_ (trans. Philemon Holland
1610). London
Camden, William (1605) _Remains Concerning Britain_ (1674
edition, ed. John Philipot, Library of Old Authors,
1870). London
Carey, John, and Alastair Fowler (1968) (ed.), _John Milton: The
Complete Poems_. London
Ceserani, R. (1962) (ed.), Ariosto: _Orlando Furioso_. Turin
Cheney, Donald (1966) _Spenser's Image of Nature: wild man and
shepherd in the "Faerie Queene"_. New Haven
Clarendon Press (1989) _The Oxford English Dictionary_, 2nd
edition, Oxford
Comes, Natale (1616) _Mythologiae, sive explicationis fabularum,
libri decem_. Padua
Cooper, Thomas (1565) _Thesaurus Linguae Romanae et Britannicae_
Dodge, R. E. N. (1908) _The Complete Poetical Works of Edmund
Spenser_. Boston
Drayton, Michael, _Complete Works_: see Hebel (1961)
Elyot, Sir Thomas (1534) _The Castel of Helth_. London
Evans, S. (trans.), rev. C. W. Dunn (1958) Geoffrey of Monmouth's
_Historia Regum Britanniae_. New York
Fletcher, Giles and Phineas: see Boas (1908-9)
Fowler, Alastair (1971) (ed.), _John Milton: Paradise Lost_.
London
Genders, Roy (1971) _The Scented Wild Flowers of Britain_.
London
Gerard, John (1597) _The Herball or General Historie of Plantes_.
London (and the 2nd edition of 1633)
Gilbert, Allan H. (1941) Modern Language Notes 56:594-7
Giles, J. A. (1891) (ed.), _Six Old English Chronicles_. London
Grant, Michael (1960) (ed.) _Cicero: Selected Works_. London
Greenlaw, E. A., F. M. Padelford, C. G. Osgood, et al. (1932-63)
_The Works of Edmund Spenser: a Variorum Edition_.
Oxford
Guessard, F. and C. Grandmaison (1860) (ed.) _Huon de Bordeaux_.
Paris
Guterman, N. (trans). (1951) (ed. Jolande Jacobi), _Paracelsus:
Selected Writings_. London
Hamilton, A. C. (1980) _Spenser: The Faerie Queene_. London
Harper (1910) _The Sources of the British Chronicle History in
Spenser's "Faerie Queene"_. Philadelphia
Hebel (1961) _The Complete Works of Michael Drayton_. Oxford
Holinshed, Raphael (1577, 1587) _Chronicles of England, Scotland,
and Ireland_. London
Horace: see Michie (1964)
Hough, Graham (1962) (ed.) Ariosto: _Orlando Furioso_. Arundel
[new edn of Sir John Harrington's trans.]
Johnson, Richard (1592). _The Seven Champions of Christendom_.
London
Jortin, J. (1734) _Remarks on Spenser's Poems_. London
Jowett, B. (1973) _Plato: the Republic and Other Works_. New
York
Jussawalla, M. (1982) _Spenser: The Faerie Queene, Book I_.
Calcutta
Kermode, Frank (1965) _Edmund Spenser: Selections from the Minor
Poems and The Faerie Queene_
Latham, A. M. C. (1951) _Sir Walter Raleigh: Poems_. London
Lewis, C. S. (1967) (ed. Fowler), _Spenser's Images of Life_.
London
Martin, Ernest (1882-7) (publ.) _Le Roman de Renart_. Strasbourg
McKeon, R. (1941) (ed.), _Basic Works of Aristotle_. New York
Michie, James (1964) (trans.) _The Odes of Horace_. London
Milton, John (1667) _Paradise Lost_: see Fowler (1971)
Milton, John (1637) _Comus_: see Carey and Fowler (1968)
Monmouth, Geoffrey of, _Historia Regum Britanniae_: see Giles
(1891)
Morris, R. (1869) (ed.), _The Works of Edmund Spenser_. London
Morris, R. (1910) (ed.), _The Faerie Queene_ (from Morris 1869).
London
Ordnance Survey, The (1987) _The Ordnance Survey Gazetteer of
Great Britain_. Southampton, London and Basingstoke
Paracelsus: see Guterman (1951)
Plato: see Jowett (1973)
Raleigh, Walter, _The Ocean's Love to Cynthia_: see Latham (1951)
Robinson, F. N. (1957) (ed.) _The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer_.
Boston and London
Roche, T. P. and C. P. O'Donnell (1981) Spenser: _The Faerie
Queene_. London
Shakespeare: see Alexander (1951)
Shepherd, G. (1965) (ed.), _An Apology for Poetry_. London
Shire, H. (1978) _A Preface to Spenser_. London
Sidney, Sir Philip (1595) _An Apology for Poetry_: see Shepherd
(1965)
Smith, J. C. (1909) _Spenser's Faerie Queene_. Oxford
Smith, J. C. and E. de Selincourt (1912) _The Poetical Works of
Edmund Spenser_. Oxford
Tasso, Torquato (1581) _Gerusalemme Liberata_: see Weiss (1962)
_The Times Index-Gazetteer of the World_ (1965). London
Warton, T. (1754), _Observations on "The Faerie Queene"._ London
Weiss, R. (1962) (ed.) Tasso: _Gerusalemme Liberata_. Arundel
[new edn of Edward Fairfax's English trans. of 1600]
=> BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL
This comprises (1) a table of important dates in the life of Spenser, and (2)
a biography Edmund Spenser taken verbatim from the 1896 Macmillan Globe
edition of Spenser's collected works, edited by R. Morris. It is by John W.
Hales.
Footnotes are grouped together at the end of the file.
(1) SOME IMPORTANT DATES IN THE LIFE OF EDMUND SPENSER
?1552 Born at East Smithfield, London.
1558 (Queen Elizabeth accedes to the throne.)
1561 [Aged about 9] Spenser enters the newly-founded Merchant
Taylors' School, headmaster Richard Mulcaster.
1569 [17] Anonymously contributes verse translations of _Visions of
Petrarch_ and _Visions of Bellay_ to Van der Noodt's _Theatre of
Worldlings_; enters Pembroke Hall (College), Cambridge.
1570 [18] Made a Fellow of Pembroke Hall.
1573 [21] Bachelor of Arts.
1574 [22] Plague in Cambridge. Spenser temporarily departs.
1576 [24] Master of Arts; leaves Cambridge for the north of England.
?1577 [25] Visits Ireland. Returns to London.
1578 [26] Appointed secretary to John Young, Bishop of Rochester,
former Master of Pembroke Hall.
1579 [27] Enters the service of the Earl of Leicester. Composition
of _The Faerie Queene_ already under way. 5 December: _The
Shepheardes Calender_ entered in Stationers' Register.
1580 [28] ?Marries Machabyas Chylde. Publication of _The
Shepheardes Calender_ and of correspondence with Gabriel Harvey.
Appointed secretary to Lord Grey, Lord Deputy of Ireland. In
?August, to Dublin with Lord Grey. In November, apparently
witnesses the siege and massacre at Smerwick, in Munster.
1581 (Publication of Tasso's _Gerusalemme Liberata_.)
1582 [30] Lord Grey recalled to London; end of Spenser's employment
as his secretary. Spenser leases a house in Dublin, and a
country residence: New Abbey at Kilcullen, 25 miles from Dublin.
Birth of his son Sylvanus.
1583 [31] Appointed a Commissioner of Musters in County Kildare for
a period of two years.
?1584 [32] Becomes deputy to the Clerk of the Council of Munster,
Lodowick Bryskett. ?Birth of daughter Katherine; ?death of
Machabyas Chylde.
1586 [34] Granted 3,028 acres at Kilcolman, 8 miles NNE of the town
of Mallow in County Cork; does not take up residence until 1588
or 1589. (Death of Sir Philip Sidney.)
1587 (Mary, Queen of Scots executed.)
1588 [36] Resigns his clerkship in the Court of Chancery. (Spanish
Armada.)
1589 [37] Visited at Kilcolman by Raleigh. October or November:
with Raleigh to England. Audience with the Queen. 1 December:
the _Faerie Queene_ entered in Stationers' Register.
1590 [38] Publication of the _Faerie Queene_, Books I-III. Suit
against him begun by Lord Roche.
1591 [39] Publication of _Complaints_, and perhaps also of
_Daphnaida_. Returns to Kilcolman. Composition of _Colin
Clouts Come Come Again_. 25 February: granted annual pension of
{pounds}50 by the Queen.
1594 [42] 12 February: loses lawsuit against Lord Roche. 11 June:
marries Elizabeth Boyle.
1595 [43] Publication of _Colin Clouts Come Home Again_, and of
_Amoretti_ and _Epithalamion_ in one volume. Birth of his son
Peregrine.
1596 [44] In England. Publication of second edition of the _Faerie
Queene_, Books I-VI, _Fowre Hymns_, and _Prothalamion_. 12
November: King James of Scotland claims that the portrayal of
Duessa in the _Faerie Queene_ is a libel on his mother, Mary,
Queen of Scots; outcome of this claim not known. (Essex raids
Cadiz.)
1597 [45] Returns to Ireland. Purchases Renny Castle for his son;
also purchases Buttevant Abbey.
1598 [46] 14 April: _A Vewe of the Present State of Irelande_
entered in Stationers' Register but not passed for printing.
Spenser recommended for appointment as Sheriff of Cork.
October: Tyrone's rebellion in Munster; Spenser's castle at
Kilcolman sacked and burnt. In December, Spenser in London.
1599 [47] 13 January: death of Spenser.
1609 Publication of third edition of the _Faerie Queene_,
incorporating Books I-VI and _Two Cantos of Mutabilitie_.
1611 First publication of the collected works.
1617 Second publication of the collected works.
1620 Memorial to Spenser erected at Westminster Abbey.
1633 Publication of _A Vewe of the Present State of Ireland_.
(2) A BIOGRAPHY OF EDMUND SPENSER,
BY JOHN W. HALES
Revised 1896
From the Macmillan Globe edition of
THE WORKS OF EDMUND SPENSER
[ Please note: footnotes for each chapter are enclosed in curly
brackets, e.g. {1} ]
_E D M U N D S P E N S E R_.
Ille velut fidis arcana sodalibus olim
Credebat libris; neque, si male cesserat, unquam
Decurrens alio, neque si bene; quo fit ut omnis
Votiva pateat veluti descripta tabella
Vita senis.
Hither, as to their fountain, other stars
Repairing in their urns draw golden light.
The life of Spenser is wrapt in a similar obscurity to
that which hides from us his great predecessor Chaucer,
and his still greater contemporary Shakspere. As in
the case of Chaucer, our principal external authorities
are a few meagre entries in certain official documents,
and such facts as may be gathered from his works. The
birth-year of each poet is determined by inference.
The circumstances in which each died are a matter of
controversy. What sure information we have of the
intervening events of the life of each one is scanty
and interrupted. So far as our knowledge goes, it
shows some slight positive resemblance between their
lives. They were both connected with the highest
society of their times; both enjoyed court favour, and
enjoyed it in the substantial shape of pensions. They
were both men of remarkable learning. They were both
natives of London. They both died in the close
vicinity of Westminster Abbey, and lie buried near each
other in that splendid cemetery. Their geniuses were
eminently different: that of Chaucer was the active
type, Spenser's of the contemplative; Chaucer was
dramatic, Spenser philosophical; Chaucer objective,
Spenser subjective; but in the external circumstances,
so far as we know them, amidst which these great poets
moved, and in the mist which for the most part enfolds
those circumstances, there is considerable likeness.
Spenser is frequently alluded to by his
contemporaries; they most ardently recognised in him,
as we shall see, a great poet, and one that might
justly be associated with the one supreme poet whom
this country had then produced--with Chaucer, and they
paid him constant tributes of respect and admiration;
but these mentions of him do not generally supply any
biographical details.
The earliest notice of him that may in any sense
be termed biographical occurs in a sort of handbook to
the monuments of Westminster Abbey, published by Camden
in 1606. Amongst the 'Reges, Regin{ae}, Nobiles, et alij
in Ecclesia Collegiata B. Petri Westmonasterii sepulti
usque ad annum 1606' is enrolled the name of Spenser,
with the following brief obituary:
'Edmundus Spencer Londinensis, Anglicorum Poetarum
nostri seculi facile princeps, quod ejus poemata
faventibus Musis et victuro genio conscripta
comprobant. Obijt immatura morte anno salutis 1598, et
prope Galfredum Chaucerum conditur qui felicissime
po{e"}sin Anglicis literis primus illustravit. In quem
h{ae}c scripta sunt epitaphia:--
Hic prope Chaucerum situs est Spenserius, illi
Proximus ingenio proximus ut tumulo.
Hic prope Chaucerum, Spensere poeta, poetam
Conderis, et versu quam tumulo propior.
Anglica, te vivo, vixit plausitque po{e"}sis;
Nunc moritura timet, te moriente, mori.'
'Edmund Spencer of London, far the first of the
English Poets of our age, as his poems prove, written
under the smile of the Muses, and with a genius
destined to live. He died prematurely in the year of
salvation 1598, and is buried near Geoffrey Chaucer,
who was the first most happily to set forth poetry in
English writing: and on him were written these
epitaphs:--
Here nigh to Chaucer Spenser lies; to whom
In genius next he was, as now in tomb.
Here nigh to Chaucer, Spenser, stands thy
hearse,{1}
Still nearer standst thou to him in thy verse.
Whilst thou didst live, lived English poetry;
Now thou art dead, it fears that it shall die.'