MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE. This charming little poem, Spenser’s only
successful effort at satire, is stated by the author to have been
composed in the raw conceit of his youth. There is internal evidence,
however, that some of the happiest passages were added at the date of
its publication, at which time the whole was probably retouched.
Although Mother Hubberds Tale is in its plan an imitation of the
satires of Reynard the Fox; the treatment of the subject is quite
original. For the combination of elegance with simplicity, this poem
will stand a comparison with Goethe’s celebrated translation of the
Reineke. C.
Ver. I.—_It was the month_, &c. August.
Ver. 453.—_Diriges_, dirges. The office for the dead received this name
from the antiphon with which the first nocturne in the mattens
commenced, taken from Psalm v. 8, “Dirige, Domine Deus meus, in
conspectu tuo viam meam.” Way’s _Promptorium Parvulorum._ C.
Ver. 519.—_Scarse can a bishoprick_, &c. This is probably an allusion
to the frequent alienations of the lands and manors of bishoprics in
Elizabeth’s time. TODD.
Ver. 562.—_The ordinarie._ An ordinary is a judge having jurisdiction
in ecclesiastical matters. In England, it is usually the bishop of the
diocese. H.
Ver. 623, 624.—The Queen was so much pleased with the results of the
Portugal expedition of 1589, that she honored the commanders, and Sir
Walter Raleigh among the rest, with a gold chain. C.
Ver. 717.—_The brave courtier_, &c. This description is perhaps
intended for Sir Philip Sidney. C.
Ver. 893.—Had-ywist. That is, _had I wist! had I known_ that it would
end so! a proverbial expression for late repentance consequent on
disappointment. C.
Ver. 901.—_To have thy Princes grace, yet want her Peeres._ Elizabeth
was said to have granted Spenser a pension which Burghley intercepted,
and to have ordered him a gratuity which her minister neglected to pay.
C.
Ver. 913.—_Himselfe will a daw trie._ So the old copy: the reading
should probably be _himselfe a daw will trie_, prove or find himself by
experience to be a daw or fool. C.
Ver. 1189.—_Of men of armes,_ &c. This passage certainly provokes an
application to Lord Burghley, and was probably intended for him. C.