423 Yet if their deeper sense be inly weighed,
inly > inwardly
424 And the dim veil, with which from common view
common > vulgar
425 Their fairer parts are hidden, aside be laid, 426 Perhaps not vain they may appear to you.
vain > foolish, futile
427 Such as they be, vouchsafe them to receive, 428 And wipe their faults out of your censure grave. 429 E. S. 430 431 432 To the right Honourable the Earle of Oxenford, 433 Lord high Chamberlayne of England. &c. 434 435 REceiue most Noble Lord in gentle gree, 436 The vnripe fruit of an vnready wit: 437 Which by thy countenaunce doth craue to bee 438 Defended from foule Enuies poisnous bit. 439 Which so to doe may thee right well besit, 440 Sith th'antique glory of thine auncestry 441 Vnder a shady vele is therein writ, 442 And eke thine owne long liuing memory, 443 Succeeding them in true nobility: 444 And also for the loue, which thou doest beare 445 To th'Heliconian ymps, and they to thee, 446 They vnto thee, and thou to them most deare: 447 Deare as thou art vnto thy selfe, so loue 448 That loues and honours thee, as doth behoue. 449 431 432 _To the Right Honourable the Earl of Oxford,
Oxford > (Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, 1550-1604, Burghley's son-in-law; poet and literary patron)
433 Lord High Chamberlain of England, etc._ 434 435 Receive, most noble lord, in gentle gree,
gentle > noble; courteous; gentle gree > favour, goodwill
436 The unripe fruit of an unready wit:
wit > mind, intelligence
437 Which by your countenance does crave to be 438 Defended from foul Envy's poisonous bit.
bit > {Bite, the action of biting}
439 Which so to do may you right well besit,
right > very besit > become, befit
440 Sith the antique glory of your ancestry
Sith > Since
antique > ancient
441 Under a shady veil is therein written, 442 And eke your own long living memory,
eke > also
443 Succeeding them in true nobility: 444 And also for the love which you do bear 445 To the Heliconian imps, and they to you,
Heliconian imps > (Mount Helicon is the abode of the Muses; imps = offspring; hence: poets)
446 They to you, and you to them most dear: 447 Dear as you are to yourself, so love 448 That loves and honours you, as does behove.
That > [He who]
449 450 451 To the right honourable the Earle of 452 Northumberland. 453 454 THe sacred Muses haue made alwaies clame 455 To be the Nourses of nobility, 456 And Registres of euerlasting fame, 457 To all that armes professe and cheualry. 458 Then by like right the noble Progeny, 459 Which them succeed in fame and worth, are tyde 460 T'embrace the seruice of sweete Poetry, 461 By whose endeuours they are glorifide, 462 And eke from all, of whom it is enuide, 463 To patronize the authour of their praise, 464 Which giues them life, that els would soone haue dide, 465 And crownes their ashes with immortall baies. 466 To thee therefore right noble Lord I send 467 This present of my paines, it to defend. 468 450 451 To the Right Honourable the Earl of 452 Northumberland
Northumberland > (Henry Percy, "Wizard Earl", 9th Earl of
Northumberland, 1564-1632; a friend of Raleigh)
453 454 The sacred Muses have made always claim 455 To be the nurses of nobility, 456 And registers of everlasting fame, 457 To all that arms profess and chivalry.
arms profess > lay claim to prowess in arms
458 Then, by like right, the noble progeny 459 Who them succeed in fame and worth, are tied 460 To embrace the service of sweet poetry, 461 By whose endeavours they are glorified, 462 And eke from all, of whom it is envied,
eke > moreover of > by envied > wished for themselves
463 To patronize the author of their praise, 464 Who gives them life, that else would soon have died,
else > otherwise
465 And crowns their ashes with immortal bays.
bays > (Leaves or sprigs of the laurel, used to make a wreath for conquerors or poets)
466 To you, therefore, right noble lord, I send 467 This present of my pains, it to defend.
pains > efforts, labours it to defend > [so that you may defend it]
468 469 470 To the right honourable the Earle of Cumberland. 471 472 REdoubted Lord, in whose corageous mind 473 The flowre of cheualry now bloosming faire, 474 Doth promise fruite worthy the noble kind, 475 Which of their praises haue left you the haire; 476 To you this humble present I prepare, 477 For loue of vertue and of Martiall praise, 478 To which though nobly ye inclined are, 479 As goodlie well ye shew'd in late assaies, 480 Yet braue ensample of long passed daies, 481 In which trew honor yee may fashiond see, 482 To like desire of honor may ye raise, 483 And fill your mind with magnanimitee. 484 Receiue it Lord therefore as it was ment, 485 For honor of your name and high descent. 486 E. S. 487 469 470 To the Right Honourable the Earl of Cumberland
Cumberland > (George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, 1558-1605, naval commander)
471 472 Redoubted lord, in whose courageous mind 473 The flower of chivalry, now blossoming fair, 474 Does promise fruit worthy the noble kind
the > [of the] kind > kin, family
475 Which of their praises have left you the heir; 476 To you this humble present I prepare, 477 For love of virtue and of martial praise, 478 To which though nobly you inclined are, 479 As goodly well you showed in late assays,
late assays > recent assaults (a reference to the Portugal expedition of 1589, designed to liberate Portugal from the Spanish)
480 Yet brave example of long passed days,
brave > [a, this] splendid
481 In which true honour you may fashioned see, 482 To like desire of honour may you raise,
like > [a] similar
483 And fill your mind with magnanimity.
magnanimity > greatness of spirit
484 Receive it, lord, therefore, as it was meant: 485 For honour of your name and high descent. 486 E. S. 487 488 489 To the most honourable and excellent Lo. the Earle 490 of Essex. Great Maister of the Horse to her Highnesse, 491 and knight of the Noble order of the Garter. &c. 492 493 MAgnificke Lord, whose vertues excellent 494 Doe merit a most famous Poets witt, 495 To be thy liuing praises instrument, 496 Yet doe not sdeigne, to let thy name be writt 497 In this base Poeme, for thee far vnfitt. 498 Nought is thy worth disparaged thereby, 499 But when my Muse, whose fethers nothing flitt 500 Doe yet but flagg, and lowly learne to fly 501 With bolder wing shall dare alofte to sty 502 To the last praises of this Faery Queene, 503 Then shall it make more famous memory 504 Of thine Heroicke parts, such as they beene: 505 Till then vouchsafe thy noble countenaunce, 506 To these first labours needed furtheraunce. 507 508 488 489 _To the Most Honourable and Excellent Lord, the Earl 490 of Essex. Great Master of the Horse to Her Highness,
Essex > (Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, 1566-1601, Leicester's stepson and, in her old age, Elizabeth's favourite)
491 and Knight of the Noble Order of the Garter, etc._ 492 493 Magnific lord, whose virtues excellent
Magnific > Renowned, glorious; magnificent
494 Do merit a most famous poet's wit
wit > mind, intellectual capacity
495 To be your living praises' instrument, 496 Yet do not sdeign to let your name be written
sdeign > disdain
497 In this base poem, for you far unfit. 498 Naught is your worth disparaged thereby, 499 But when my Muse, whose feathers, nothing flit,
nothing > not at all flit > swift, quickly-moving
500 Do yet but flag and lowly learn to fly,
flag > droop lowly > {In a low or base manner}
501 With bolder wing shall dare aloft to sty
sty > rise, soar
502 To the last praises of this Faery Queen;
last > (Speaking of that time when all 24 books of the poem will be complete)
503 Then shall it make more famous memory
memory > memorial; historical record
504 Of your heroic parts, such as they been:
parts > abilities, qualities been > [are; were]
505 Till then, vouchsafe your noble countenance
countenance > regard
506 To these first labours' needed furtherance.
furtherance > promotion; also: improvement
507 508 509 To the right Honourable the Earle of 510 Ormond and Ossory. 511 512 REceiue most noble Lord a simple taste 513 Of the wilde fruit, which saluage soyl hath bred, 514 Which being through long wars left almost waste, 515 With brutish barbarisme is ouerspredd: 516 And in so faire a land, as may be redd, 517 Not one Parnassus, nor one Helicone 518 Left for sweete Muses to be harboured, 519 But where thy selfe hast thy braue mansione; 520 There in deede dwel faire Graces many one. 521 And gentle Nymphes, delights of learned wits, 522 And in thy person without Paragone 523 All goodly bountie and true honour sits, 524 Such therefore, as that wasted soyl doth yield, 525 Receiue dear Lord in worth, the fruit of barren field. 526 527 509 To the Right Honourable the Earl of 510 Ormond and Ossory
Ormond and Ossory > (Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond and Ossory, 1532-1614,; Lord Treasurer of Ireland)
511 512 Receive, most noble lord, a simple taste 513 Of the wild fruit which savage soil has bred,
savage > wild; savage soil > (Of Ireland, where Spenser lived)
514 Which, being through long wars left almost waste, 515 With brutish barbarism is overspread:
barbarism > (See Spenser's A View of the Present State of Ireland)
516 And in so fair a land, as may be read,
read > seen
517 Not one Parnassus, nor one Helicon
Parnassus > (Mount Parnassus, chief seat of Apollo, god of song and
music, and leader of the Muses)
Helicon > (Mount Helicon, sacred to Apollo and his Muses)
518 Left for sweet Muses to be harboured, 519 But where you yourself have your brave mansion;
But > Except brave > splendid mansion > dwelling-place; mansion
520 There indeed dwell fair Graces many one:
Graces > (The handmaids of Venus, bestowers of beauty and charm)
521 And gentle nymphs, delights of learned wits,
nymphs > (Minor female divinities with whom the Greeks peopled all
parts of nature: the seas, springs, rivers, grottoes, trees,
mountains)
wits > minds
522 And in your person without paragon
paragon > comparison; competition
523 All goodly bounty and true honour sit,
bounty > goodness, virtue; munificence, generosity
524 Such, therefore, as that wasted soil does yield, 525 Receive, dear lord, in worth, the fruit of barren field.
in worth > in good part; at its true value
526 527 528 To the right honourable the Lord Ch. Howard, Lo. high Admi- 529 ral of England, knight of the noble order of the Garter, 530 and one of her Maiesties priuie Counsel. &c. 531 532 ANd ye, braue Lord, whose goodly personage, 533 And noble deeds each other garnishing, 534 Make you ensample to the present age, 535 Of th'old Heroes, whose famous ofspring 536 The antique Poets wont so much to sing, 537 In this same Pageaunt haue a worthy place, 538 Sith those huge castles of Castilian king, 539 That vainly threatned kingdomes to displace, 540 Like flying doues ye did before you chace; 541 And that proud people woxen insolent 542 Through many victories, didst first deface: 543 Thy praises euerlasting monument 544 Is in this verse engrauen semblably, 545 That it may liue to all posterity. 546 547 528 _To the Right Honourable the Lord Charles Howard, Lord High Admi-
Charles Howard > (Charles, Lord Howard of Effingham, 1536-1624. Commander of the Western Fleet, based at Plymouth, which was credited with defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588)
529 ral of England, Knight of the Noble Order of the Garter, 530 and one of Her Majesty's Privy Council, etc._ 531 532 And you, brave lord (whose goodly personage
brave > brave; splendid
533 And noble deeds each other garnishing,
garnishing > embellishing
534 Make you example to the present age,
example > [an] example, [a] parallel case
535 Of the old heroes, whose famous offspring 536 The antique poets wont so much to sing),
antique > ancient (especially of ancient Greece and Rome) wont > were accustomed sing > {Celebrate in song or verse}
537 In this same pageant have a worthy place,
pageant > {Exhibition, show, staged as a feature of public triumph or celebration; scene or act of a medieval mystery play; tableau or tableaux from such a play. Spenser never uses his language idly; and "pageant" is the precise term favoured by C. S. Lewis (see Spenser's Images of Life) to define the form of FQ; see also SC, gloss to "June" (Many Graces: the passage referred to is at 203.25:1)}
538 Sith those huge castles of Castilian king,
Sith > Since
those huge castles > [the Spanish galleons of the Armada]
Castilian king > (Philip II of Spain, 1527-98)
539 That vainly threatened kingdoms to displace, 540 Like flying doves you did before you chase; 541 And that proud people, waxed insolent
waxed > grown
542 Through many victories, did first deface:
deface > cast in the shade; or: destroy
543 Your praises' everlasting monument 544 Is in this verse engraved semblably,
semblably > similarly; also: apparently, hence: allegorically
545 That it may live to all posterity.
That > [So that]
546 547 548 To the right honourable the Lord of Hunsdon, high 549 Chamberlaine to her Maiesty. 550 551 REnowmed Lord, that for your worthinesse 552 And noble deeds haue your deserued place, 553 High in the fauour of that Emperesse. 554 The worlds sole glory and her sexes grace, 555 Here eke of right haue you a worthie place, 556 Both for your nearnes to that Faerie Queene, 557 And for your owne high merit in like cace, 558 Of which, apparaunt proofe was to be seene, 559 When that tumultuous rage and fearfull deene 560 Of Northerne rebels ye did pacify, 561 And their disloiall powre defaced clene, 562 The record of enduring memory. 563 Liue Lord for euer in this lasting verse, 564 That all posteritie thy honor may reherse. 565 E. S. 566 548 _To the Right Honourable the Lord of Hunsdon, High
Lord of Hunsdon > (Henry Carey, 1st Lord Hunsdon, 1524?-96, Governor of Berwick. First cousin of the Queen and chamberlain of the royal household)
549 Chamberlain to Her Majesty_ 550 551 Renowned lord, that for your worthiness 552 And noble deeds have your deserved place 553 High in the favour of that empress, 554 The world's sole glory and her sex's grace; 555 Here eke of right have you a worthy place,
eke > also
556 Both for your nearness to that Faery Queen, 557 And for your own high merit in like case,
like > [a] similar
558 Of which apparent proof was to be seen 559 When that tumultuous rage and fearful deen
deen > din, noise
560 Of northern rebels you did pacify,
northern rebels > (Who wished in 1569 to assert the right of Mary Stuart to succeed, or supplant, Elizabeth)
561 And their disloyal power defaced clean,
defaced clean > utterly destroyed
562 The record of enduring memory. 563 Live, lord, for ever in this lasting verse, 564 That all posterity your honour may rehearse.
That > [So that] rehearse > relate, give an account of
565 E. S. 566 567 568 To the most renowmed and valiant Lord, the 569 Lord Grey of Wilton, knight of the Noble order 570 of the Garter, &c. 571 572 MOst Noble Lord the pillor of my life, 573 And Patrone of my Muses pupillage, 574 Through whose large bountie poured on me rife, 575 In the first season of my feeble age, 576 I now doe liue, bound yours by vassalage: 577 Sith nothing euer may redeeme, nor reaue 578 Out of your endlesse debt so sure a gage, 579 Vouchsafe in worth this small guift to receaue, 580 Which in your noble hands for pledge I leaue, 581 Of all the rest, that I am tyde t'account: 582 Rude rymes, the which a rustick Muse did weaue 583 In sauadge soyle, far from Parnasso mount, 584 And roughly wrought in an vnlearned Loome: 585 The which vouchsafe dear Lord your fauorable doome. 586 587 567 568 _To the Most Renowned and Valiant Lord, the 569 Lord Grey of Wilton, Knight of the Noble Order
Lord Grey > (Arthur Grey, 14th Lord Grey de Wilton, 1536-93, Lord Deputy of Ireland from 1580-82; on appointment he made Spenser his private secretary)
570 of the Garter, etc._ 571 572 Most noble lord, the pillar of my life, 573 And patron of my Muse's pupillage, 574 Through whose large bounty, poured on me rife
rife > unstintingly
575 In the first season of my feeble age, 576 I now do live, bound yours by vassalage:
vassalage > {The allegiance of a vassal: one who, in the feudal system, held land in return for homage and allegiance to his lord}
577 Sith nothing ever may redeem, nor reave
Sith > Since reave > forcibly remove, take
578 Out of your endless debt so sure a gage,
gage > pledge
579 Vouchsafe in worth this small gift to receive,
in worth > in good part; at its true value
580 Which in your noble hands for pledge I leave
for pledge > as a token
581 Of all the rest, that I am tied to account: 582 Rude rhymes, which a rustic Muse did weave
Rude > {Unpolished, lacking in literary skill}
583 In savage soil, far from Parnasso Mount,
savage soil > (Cf. I:513)
Parnasso Mount > (Mount Parnassus, chief seat of Apollo, god of song
and music, and leader of the Muses)
584 And roughly wrought in an unlearned loom:
wrought > worked
585 Which vouchsafe, dear lord, your favourable doom.
doom > judgement, opinion
586 587 588 To the right honourable the Lord of Buckhurst, one 589 of her Maiesties priuie Counsell. 590 591 IN vain I thinke right honourable Lord, 592 By this rude rime to memorize thy name; 593 Whose learned Muse hath writ her owne record, 594 In golden verse, worthy immortal fame: 595 Thou much more fit (were leasure to the same) 596 Thy gracious Souerain praises to compile. 597 And her imperiall Maiestie to frame, 598 In loftie numbers and heroicke stile. 599 But sith thou maist not so, giue leaue a while 600 To baser wit his power therein to spend, 601 Whose grosse defaults thy daintie pen may file, 602 And vnaduised ouersights amend. 603 But euermore vouchsafe it to maintaine 604 Against vile Zoilus backbitings vaine. 605 588 _To the Right Honourable the Lord of Buckhurst, one
Lord of Buckhurst > (Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset and Baron
Buckhurst, 1536-1608, an accomplished poet)
589 of her Majesty's Privy Council_ 590 591 In vain I think, right honourable lord, 592 By this rude rhyme to memorize your name;
rude > {Unpolished, lacking in literary skill} memorize > commemorate
593 Whose learned Muse has written her own record, 594 In golden verse, worthy immortal fame:
worthy > [worthy of]
595 You much more fit (were leisure to the same)
You > [You are] were leisure to the same > [had you the leisure]
596 Your gracious sovereign's praises to compile. 597 And her imperial majesty to frame, 598 In lofty numbers and heroic style.
numbers > metrical lines; hence: verses style > style; literary composition
599 But sith you may not so, give leave a while
sith > since may not so > [are prevented from doing so]
600 To baser wit his power therein to spend,
baser > [a] baser wit > mind
601 Whose gross faults your dainty pen may file,
dainty > {Of delicate taste; hence: discerning} file > polish
602 And unadvised oversights amend. 603 But evermore vouchsafe it to maintain
maintain > defend
604 Against vile Zoilus' backbitings vain.
Zoilus > (A spiteful critic; unkind literary criticism in general,
named after Zoilus, 400?-320 BC, grammarian and commentator on
Homer)
vain > futile, foolish
605 606 607 To the right honourable Sir Fr. Walsingham knight, 608 principall Secretary to her Maiesty, and of her 609 honourable priuy Counsell. 610 611 THat Mantuane Poetes incompared spirit, 612 Whose girland now is set in highest place, 613 Had not Mec{oe}nas for his worthy merit, 614 It first aduaunst to great Augustus grace, 615 Might long perhaps haue lien in silence bace, 616 Ne bene so much admir'd of later age. 617 This lowly Muse, that learns like steps to trace, 618 Flies for like aide vnto your Patronage; 619 That are the great Mecenas of this age, 620 As wel to al that ciuil artes professe 621 As those that are inspird with Martial rage, 622 And craues protection of her feeblenesse: 623 Which if ye yield, perhaps ye may her rayse 624 In bigger tunes to sound your liuing prayse. 625 E. S. 626 606 607 _To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Walsingham, Knight,
Francis Walsingham > (1530?-1590, appointed Principal Secretary in 1573; with Essex and Lord Burghley, one of the triumvirate which effectively governed England on the Queen's behalf)
608 Principal Secretary to her Majesty, and of her 609 honourable Privy Council_. 610 611 That Mantuan poet's incompared spirit,
Mantuan poet > (Virgil, 70-19 BC, who was born near Maro, in Mantua,
northern Italy)
incompared > unmatched (SUS)
612 Whose garland now is set in highest place, 613 Had not Maecenas for his worthy merit
Maecenas > (Gaius Cilnius Maecenas, 73?-8 BC, a Roman statesman,
patron of Virgil and Horace. He brought Virgil to the attention of
Augustus Caesar)
614 It first advanced to great Augustus' grace, 615 Might long perhaps have lain in silence base, 616 Nor been so much admired of later age.
of > by [a]
617 This lowly Muse, that learns like steps to trace,
like > similar
618 Flies for like aid to your patronage; 619 (That are the great Maecenas of this age,
That are > [You who are]
620 As well to all that civil arts profess
As well > Both
621 As those that are inspired with martial rage),
As > [And to]
622 And craves protection of her feebleness: 623 Which if you yield, perhaps you may her raise 624 In bigger tunes to sound your living praise. 625 E. S. 626 627 628 To the right noble Lord and most valiaunt Captaine, 629 Sir Iohn Norris knight, Lord president of Mounster. 630 631 WHo euer gaue more honourable prize 632 To the sweet Muse, then did the Martiall crew; 633 That their braue deeds she might immortalize 634 In her shril tromp, and sound their praises dew? 635 Who then ought more to fauour her, then you 636 Moste noble Lord, the honor of this age, 637 And Precedent of all that armes ensue? 638 Whose warlike prowesse and manly courage, 639 Tempred with reason and aduizement sage 640 Hath fild sad Belgicke with victorious spoile, 641 In Fraunce and Ireland left a famous gage, 642 And lately shakt the Lusitanian soile. 643 Sith then each where thou hast dispredd thy fame, 644 Loue him, that hath eternized your name. 645 E. S. 646 627 628 To the Right Noble Lord and Most Valiant Captain, 629 Sir John Norris, Knight, Lord President of Munster
John Norris > (1547?-1597, a commander of the land forces in the
Netherlands during the Armada campaign)
630 631 Who ever gave more honourable prize
prize > prize; plunder
632 To the sweet Muse, than did the martial crew; 633 That their brave deeds she might immortalize
That > [In that]
brave > brave; splendid
634 In her shrill trump, and sound their praises due?
trump > trumpet-note
635 Who then ought more to favour her than you, 636 Most noble lord, the honour of this age, 637 And precedent of all that arms ensue?
precedent > pattern, model
arms ensue > seek after feats of arms; hence: follow a military
career
638 Whose warlike prowess and manly courage, 639 Tempered with reason and advisement sage
advisement > advice; prudence, consideration
640 Have filled sad Belgium with victorious spoil,
Belgium > {The Netherlands}
641 In France and Ireland left a famous gage,
gage > prize, military spoil
642 And lately shaken the Lusitanian soil.
Lusitanian > (A somewhat impolitic reference to the ill-fated Portugal expedition of 1589, in which Norris and Sir Francis Drake, with over 100 ships and some 20,000 soldiers, were sent to liberate Portugal from the Spanish)
643 Since then each where you have spread your fame,
each where > everywhere
644 Love him that has eternized your name. 645 E. S. 646 647 648 To the right noble and valorous knight, Sir Walter Raleigh, 649 Lo. Wardein of the Stanneryes, and lieftenaunt of 650 Cornewaile. 651 652 TO thee that art the sommers Nightingale, 653 Thy soueraine Goddesses most deare delight, 654 Why doe I send this rusticke Madrigale, 655 That may thy tunefull eare vnseason quite? 656 Thou onely fit this Argument to write, 657 In whose high thoughts Pleasure hath built her bowre, 658 And dainty loue learnd sweetly to endite. 659 My rimes I know vnsauory and sowre, 660 To tast the streames, that like a golden showre 661 Flow from thy fruitfull head, of thy loues praise, 662 Fitter perhaps to thonder Martiall stowre, 663 When so thee list thy lofty Muse to raise: 664 Yet till that thou thy Poeme wilt make knowne, 665 Let thy faire Cinthias praises bee thus rudely showne. 666 E. S. 667 647 648 To the Right Noble and Valorous Knight, Sir Walter Raleigh, 649 Lord Warden of the Stannaries, and Lieutenant of 650 Cornwall 651 652 To you, that are the summer's nightingale,
nightingale > (Cf. I:241)
653 Your sovereign goddess' most dear delight, 654 Why do I send this rustic madrigal, 655 That may your tuneful ear unseason quite?
unseason > {Strike or affect disagreeably}
656 You only fit this argument to write,
You only > [Only you are] argument > subject-matter
657 In whose high thoughts Pleasure has built her bower,
bower > chamber, retreat
658 And dainty love learned sweetly to indite. 659 My rhymes I know unsavoury and sour
know > [know to be too]
660 To taste the streams, that like a golden shower 661 Flow from your fruitful head, of your love's praise, 662 Fitter perhaps to thunder martial stour,
stour > conflict, tumult
663 Whenso you list your lofty Muse to raise:
Whenso > Whenever list > choose, please
664 Yet till you your poem will make known,
your poem > (The Ocean's Love to Cynthia, a paean to Queen Elizabeth)
665 Let your fair Cynthia's praises be thus rudely shown.
rudely > roughly, crudely
666 E. S. 667 668 669 To the right honourable and most vertuous Lady, the 670 Countesse of Penbroke. 671 672 REmembraunce of that most Heroicke spirit, 673 The heuens pride, the glory of our daies, 674 Which now triumpheth through immortall merit 675 Of his braue vertues, crownd with lasting baies, 676 Of heuenlie blis and euerlasting praies; 677 Who first my Muse did lift out of the flore, 678 To sing his sweet delights in lowlie laies; 679 Bids me most noble Lady to adore 680 His goodly image liuing euermore, 681 In the diuine resemblaunce of your face; 682 Which with your vertues ye embellish more, 683 And natiue beauty deck with heuenlie grace: 684 For his, and for your owne especial sake, 685 Vouchsafe from him this token in good worth to take. 686 E. S. 687 668 669 To the Right Honourable and Most Virtuous Lady, the 670 Countess of Pembroke
Countess of Pembroke > (Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, 1555?-
1621, patroness of the arts; sister of Sir Philip Sidney)
671 672 Remembrance of that most heroic spirit,
heroic spirit > (That of Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-86, poet, soldier, and statesman: one of the Queen's favourites. Close friend of Spenser. Killed in action at Zutphen in the Netherlands)
673 The heavens' pride, the glory of our days, 674 Which now triumphs through immortal merit 675 Of his brave virtues, crowned with lasting bays
brave > splendid; courageous
bays > (Leaves or sprigs of the laurel, used to make a wreath for
conquerors or poets)
676 Of heavenly bliss and everlasting praise; 677 Who first my Muse did lift out of the floor, 678 To sing his sweet delights in lowly lays;
lays > songs, poems
679 Bids me, most noble lady, to adore 680 His goodly image living evermore,
goodly > well-favoured; gracious
681 In the divine resemblance of your face; 682 Which with your virtues you embellish more, 683 And native beauty deck with heavenly grace: 684 For his, and for your own especial sake, 685 Vouchsafe from him this token in good worth to take.
in good worth > at its true value; in good part
686 E. S. 687 688 689 To the most vertuous, and beautifull Lady, 690 the Lady Carew. 691 692 NE may I, without blot of endlesse blame, 693 You fairest Lady leaue out of this place, 694 But with remembraunce of your gracious name, 695 Wherewith that courtly garlond most ye grace, 696 And deck the world, adorne these verses base: 697 Not that these few lines can in them comprise 698 Those glorious ornaments of heuenly grace, 699 Wherewith ye triumph ouer feeble eyes, 700 And in subdued harts do tyranyse: 701 For thereunto doth need a golden quill, 702 And siluer leaues, them rightly to deuise, 703 But to make humble present of good will: 704 Which whenas timely meanes it purchase may, 705 In ampler wise it selfe will forth display. 706 E. S. 707 688 689 To the Most Virtuous and Beautiful Lady, 690 the Lady Carey
Lady Carey > (Lady Elizabeth Spencer Carey (or Carew), the Elder (fl. 1590), patroness of poets; dedicatee of Spenser's Muiopotmos (1590))
691 692 Nor may I, without blot of endless blame, 693 You, fairest lady, leave out of this place, 694 But, with remembrance of your gracious name, 695 Wherewith that courtly garland most you grace, 696 And deck the world, adorn these verses base: 697 Not that these few lines can in them comprise 698 Those glorious ornaments of heavenly grace 699 Wherewith you triumph over feeble eyes,
Wherewith > With which
700 And in subdued hearts do tyrannize: 701 For thereto does need a golden quill, 702 And silver leaves, them rightly to devise,
devise > tell, recount
703 But to make humble present of goodwill: 704 Which when timely means it purchase may,
timely > opportune, seasonable
705 In ampler wise itself will forth display.
In ampler wise > (A reference to Muiopotmos)
706 E. S. 707 708 709 To all the gratious and beautifull Ladies in the Court. 710 711 _THe Chian Peincter, when he was requirde 712 To pourtraict Venus in her perfect hew, 713 To make his worke more absolute, desird 714 Of all the fairest Maides to haue the vew. 715 Much more me needs to draw the semblant trew 716 Of beauties Queene, the worlds sole wonderment, 717 To sharp my sence with sundry beauties vew, 718 And steale from each some part of ornament. 719 If all the world to seeke I ouerwent, 720 A fairer crew yet no where could I see 721 Then that braue court doth to mine eie present, 722 That the worlds pride seemes gathered there to bee. 723 Of each a part I stole by cunning thefte: 724 Forgiue it me faire Dames, sith lesse ye haue not lefte_. 725 E. S. 726 727 728 708 709 To All the Gracious and Beautiful Ladies in the Court 710 711 The Chian Painter, when he was required
Chian Painter > (The artist from Chios (Scio), in the Aegean, who built a composite image of beauty from various sitters)
712 To portray Venus in her perfect hue,
Venus > (Goddess of love and beauty) hue > colours, appearance
713 To make his work more absolute, desired 714 Of all the fairest maids to have the view. 715 Much more me needs to draw the semblance true
me needs > [do I need]
716 Of beauty's Queen, the world's sole wonderment, 717 To sharpen my sense with sundry beauties' view, 718 And steal from each some part of ornament. 719 If all the world to seek I overwent, 720 A fairer crew yet nowhere could I see 721 Than that brave court does to my eye present,
that > [that which that] brave > splendid
722 That the world's pride seems gathered there to be.
That > [Such that]
723 Of each a part I stole by cunning theft: 724 Forgive it me, fair dames, sith less you have not left.
sith > since
725 E. S. 726 727 728 729 FINIS. 729 THE END
THE END > (These verses, and the letter to Raleigh, were originally placed at the end of Volume I)
=> THE FIRST 2 BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE. 4 Contayning THE LEGENDE OF THE 6 KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSSE, OR 8 OF HOLINESSE.
1 THE FIRST 2 BOOK OF THE 3 FAERY QUEEN 4 Containing 5 THE LEGEND OF THE 6 KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSS 7 or 8 OF HOLINESS
100.1
LO I the man, whose Muse whilome did maske,
2 As time her +taught+ in lowly Shepheards weeds,
Am now enforst a far vnfitter taske,
4 For trumpets sterne to chaunge mine Oaten reeds,
And sing of Knights and Ladies gentle deeds;
6 Whose prayses hauing slept in silence long,
Me, all too meane, the sacred Muse areeds
8 To blazon +broad emongst+ her learned throng:
Fierce warres and faithfull loues shall moralize my song.
2 taught > taught, 1590, 1609 8 broad emongst > 'broad, amongst 1609
1 Lo I, the man whose Muse whilom did mask,
Muse > (The nine Muses are usually represented as the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne (Memory); each goddess presides over an area of the arts and sciences and gives inspiration to its practitioners) whilom > formerly mask > {Disguise [herself]; take part in a masque or masquerade}
2 As time her taught, in lowly shepherd's weeds,
time > [her] term of apprenticeship shepherd > (Spenser's The Shepheardes Calender, a work of pastoral poetry, was published in 1579) weeds > clothes, garb
3 Am now enforced, a far unfitter task,
enforced > compelled [by the Muse]
4 For trumpets stern to change my oaten reeds,
stern > fierce oaten reeds > (Of which shepherds' pipes were supposedly made. Cf. SC, "October", 7-8)
5 And sing of knights' and ladies' gentle deeds;
gentle > noble; courteous, generous
6 Whose praises, having slept in silence long, 7 Me, all too mean, the sacred Muse areads
mean > unworthy, ignoble areads > counsels; instructs
8 To blazon broad amongst her learned throng:
blazon > proclaim (with additional meaning of describing or painting heraldic devices or armorial bearings) broad > widely, far
9 Fierce wars and faithful loves shall moralize my song.
100.2
Helpe then, {o^} holy Virgin chiefe of nine,
2 Thy weaker Nouice to performe thy will,
Lay forth out of thine euerlasting scryne
4 The antique rolles, which there lye hidden still,
Of Faerie knights and fairest Tanaquill,
6 Whom that most noble Briton Prince so long
Sought through the world, and suffered so much ill,
8 That I must rue his vndeserued wrong:
O helpe thou my weake wit, and sharpen my dull tong.
1 Help then, O holy virgin, chief of nine,
chief > chief, first; best (here Spenser is addressing either Clio, the Muse of history, or Calliope, the Muse of epic poetry; probably Clio. Clio is the first of the nine Muses in Hesiod's Theogony, and is usually represented with an open roll of paper or a chest of books. Spenser calls her "thou eldest Sister of the crew" at TM 53. See also 111.5:6-8, 303.4:6, 706.37:9, 707.1:1)
2 Your weaker novice to perform your will;
weaker > too-weak
3 Lay forth out of your everlasting scrine
scrine > {Casket or cabinet for archival papers}
4 The antique rolls, which there lie hidden still,
antique > ancient
5 Of Faery knights and fairest Tanaquil,
Faery > {An archaic variant of "fairy", used by Spenser to denote
the imaginary land, analogous to Britain, where his poem is set}
Tanaquil > (Caia Tanaquil, wife of Tarquinius Priscus, 5th King of
Rome (- 577 BC); an exemplary queen, taken as a type for the
Faery Queen. See 210.76)
6 Whom that most noble Briton prince so long
Briton prince > (Prince Arthur. For the origin of Arthur's quest for the Faery Queen, see 109.8-15)
7 Sought through the world, and suffered so much ill,
suffered > [for whom he suffered] ill > evil, distress
8 That I must rue his undeserved wrong: 9 O, help you my weak wit, and sharpen my dull tongue!
help you my > [help my; "you" intensifies the imperative mood] wit > wit; mind dull > dull, lacklustre; blunt
100.3
And thou most dreaded impe of highest Ioue,
2 Faire Venus sonne, that with thy cruell dart
At that good knight so cunningly didst roue,
4 That glorious fire it kindled in his hart,
Lay now thy deadly Heben bow apart,
6 And with thy mother milde come to mine ayde:
Come both, and with you bring triumphant Mart,
8 In loues and gentle iollities arrayd,
After his murdrous spoiles and bloudy rage allayd.
1 And you, most dreaded imp of highest Jove,
you > [Cupid, god of love, the son of Jupiter and Venus]
imp > child, scion
Jove > (Jupiter, the supreme deity of the Romans; Zeus of the
Greeks)
2 Fair Venus' son, that with your cruel dart
Venus > (Goddess of love and beauty, wife of Vulcan, mother of Cupid) dart > arrow
3 At that good knight so cunningly did rove
rove > shoot
4 That glorious fire it kindled in his heart; 5 Lay now your deadly ebon bow apart,
ebon > {Ebony, made of ebony, a tree of the family Ebenaceae, esp. Diospyros ebenus, producing hard black wood} apart > aside
6 And with your mother mild come to my aid:
mild > gracious, kind
7 Come, both; and with you bring triumphant Mars,
Mars > (God of war, the lover of Venus)
8 In loves and gentle jollities arrayed,
gentle > noble jollities > revelries
9 After his murderous spoils and bloody rage allayed.
allayed > grown mild
100.4
And with them eke, {o^} Goddesse heauenly bright,
2 Mirrour of grace and Maiestie diuine,
Great Lady of the greatest Isle, whose light
4 Like Ph{oe}bus lampe throughout the world doth shine,
Shed thy faire beames into my feeble eyne,
6 And raise my thoughts too humble and too vile,
To thinke of that true glorious type of thine,
8 The argument of mine afflicted stile:
The which to heare, vouchsafe, {o^} dearest dred a-while.
1 And with them eke, O goddess heavenly bright,
eke > also, in addition bright > bright; beautiful
2 Mirror of grace and majesty divine,
Mirror > Reflection; reflector; exemplar (he is now addressing Queen Elizabeth; the moment of uncertainty smoothly conflates her with both Venus and the "holy Virgin" of 100.2:1)
3 Great lady of the greatest isle, whose light
greatest isle > [Britain]
4 Like Phoebus' lamp throughout the world does shine,
Phoebus > (Phoebus Apollo, god of the sun; Elizabeth's light is elsewhere (e.g. 300.4:8) compared to that of the moon and (209.4:6) to that of the morning star)
5 Shed your fair beams into my feeble eyes, 6 And raise my thoughts, too humble and too vile,
vile > lowly, wretched
7 To think of that true glorious type of yours,
type > image, representation
8 The argument of my afflicted style:
argument > subject-matter afflicted > humble, lowly; contemptible (Latin afflictus) style > literary composition; hence: poem, song (cf. SC, "Januarie", 10)
9 Which to hear vouchsafe, O dearest dread, awhile.
dread > {Object of awe or reverence}
CANTO I
The Patron of true Holinesse,
Foule Errour doth defeate:
Hypocrisie him to +entrape+,
Doth to his home entreate.
3 entrape > entrappe 1590; entrap 1609
1 The patron of true Holiness
patron > protector, defender, champion
2 Foul Error does defeat: 3 Hypocrisy, him to entrap,
Hypocrisy > (Archimago, introduced at 101.29, named at 101.43:6)
4 Does to his home entreat.
entreat > [entreat the patron of true Holiness]
101.1
A Gentle Knight was pricking on the plaine,
2 Y cladd in mightie armes and siluer shielde,
Wherein old dints of deepe wounds did remaine,
4 The cruell markes of many'a bloudy fielde;
Yet armes till that time did he neuer wield:
6 His angry steede did chide his foming bitt,
As much disdayning to the curbe to yield:
8 Full iolly knight he seemd, and faire did sitt,
As one for knightly giusts and fierce encounters fitt.
1 A gentle knight was pricking on the plain,
gentle > generous, courteous (to take the meaning of this word as "noble", "high-born", would be to anticipate the revelation at 110.65 ff.; at I:153 he is described as "clownishe", i.e. rustic, unsophisticated) pricking > spurring his horse, riding
2 Clad in mighty arms and silver shield,
arms > armour (see I:171-3)
3 Wherein old dints of deep wounds did remain,
dints > dents, indentations
4 The cruel marks of many a bloody field;
field > field of battle, battle
5 Yet arms till that time did he never wield.
never wield > (See I:152 ff.: "In the beginning of the feast …")
6 His angry steed did chide his foaming bit, 7 As much disdaining to the curb to yield: 8 Full jolly knight he seemed, and fair did sit,
Full > [A] very jolly > gallant; handsome; fine; also, apparent only on a second reading of Book I, in the rarer pejorative senses: self- confident, arrogant, lustful fair > expertly sit > sit in the saddle; ride
9 As one for knightly jousts and fierce encounters fit.
101.2
+But+ on his brest a bloudie Crosse he bore,
2 The deare remembrance of his dying Lord,
For whose sweete sake that glorious badge he wore,
4 And dead as liuing euer him ador'd:
Vpon his shield the like was also scor'd,
6 For soueraine hope, which in his helpe he had:
Right faithfull true he was in deede and word,
8 But of his cheere did seeme too solemne sad,
Yet nothing did he dread, but euer was ydrad.
1 But > And 1590. 1596 emphasizes his inner conflict and points the way to his downfall and ultimate resurrection)
1 But on his breast a bloody cross he bore,
bloody > blood-red
2 The dear remembrance of his dying Lord,
dear > dear; grievous; brave remembrance > keepsake, token
3 For whose sweet sake that glorious badge he wore, 4 And dead, as living, ever him adored:
dead, as living, ever him adored > (Or: "dead, as living ever, him adored"; see Rev. 1.18)
5 Upon his shield the like was also scored,
scored > inscribed
6 For sovereign hope, which in his help he had:
in his help > [to help him; in his armoury]
7 Right faithful true he was in deed and word,
Right > Very, completely
8 But of his cheer did seem too solemn sad;
of > in cheer > expression, mood sad > grave, sober
9 Yet nothing did he dread, but ever was dreaded.
101.3
Vpon a great aduenture he was bond,
2 That greatest Gloriana to him gaue,
That greatest Glorious Queene of Faerie lond,
4 To winne him worship, and her grace to haue,
Which of all earthly things he most did craue;
6 And euer as he rode, his hart did earne
To proue his puissance in battell braue
8 Vpon his foe, and his new force to learne;
Vpon his foe, a Dragon horrible and stearne.
1 Upon a great adventure he was bound, 2 That greatest Gloriana to him gave 3 (That greatest glorious Queen of Faery Land) 4 To win him worship, and her grace to have,
worship > honour, renown
5 Which of all earthly things he most did crave; 6 And ever as he rode his heart did yearn 7 To prove his puissance in battle brave
prove > test; demonstrate puissance > strength (allied with prowess in arms) brave > brave; splendid
8 Upon his foe, and his new force to learn;
learn > learn; also: teach, hence: impose
9 Upon his foe, a dragon horrible and stern.
stern > fierce; merciless, cruel
101.4
A louely Ladie rode him faire beside,
2 Vpon a lowly Asse more white then snow,
Yet she much whiter, but the same did hide
4 Vnder a vele, that wimpled was full low,
And ouer all a blacke stole she did throw,
6 As one that inly mournd: so was she sad,
And heauie sat vpon her palfrey slow;
8 Seemed in heart some hidden care she had,
And by her in a line a milke white lambe she lad.
1 A lovely lady rode him fair beside,
lovely > lovely; loving; lovable [by virtue of her admirable qualities] fair > fittingly, becomingly; skilfully
2 Upon a lowly ass more white than snow, 3 Yet she much whiter; but the same did hide
the same > [her complexion she]
4 Under a veil, that wimpled was full low;
wimpled > {Falling in folds} full > very, exceedingly
5 And over all a black stole she did throw,
stole > robe
6 As one that inly mourned: so was she sad,
inly > inwardly
7 And heavy sat upon her palfrey slow;
heavy > sadly palfrey > {Saddle-horse for ladies}
8 Seemed in heart some hidden care she had,
Seemed > [It seemed] in heart > in her heart; inwardly
9 And by her, in a line, a milk-white lamb she led.
in a line > on a lead
101.5
So pure +an innocent+, as that same lambe,
2 She was in life and euery vertuous lore,
And by descent from Royall lynage came
4 Of ancient Kings and Queenes, that had of yore
Their scepters stretcht from East to Westerne shore,
6 And all the world in their subiection held;
Till that infernall feend with foule vprore
8 Forwasted all their land, and them expeld:
Whom to auenge, she had this Knight from far compeld.
1 an innocent > and innocent 1590; an Innocent 1609
1 So pure an innocent as that same lamb 2 She was in life and every virtuous lore;
lore > teaching, doctrine
3 And by descent from royal lineage came 4 Of ancient kings and queens, that had of yore
of yore > of old, in former times
5 Their sceptres stretched from east to western shore, 6 And all the world in their subjection held; 7 Till that infernal fiend with foul uproar
infernal fiend > hellish fiend (the dragon, Satan) uproar > insurrection; tumult
8 Forwasted all their land, and them expelled:
Forwasted > Ravaged, laid to waste
9 Whom to avenge, she had this knight from far compelled.
compelled > commanded; forced to come
101.6
Behind her farre away a Dwarfe did lag,
2 That lasie seemd in being euer last,
Or wearied with bearing of her bag
4 Of needments at his backe. Thus as they past,
The day with cloudes was suddeine ouercast,
6 And angry Ioue an hideous storme of raine
Did poure into his Lemans lap so fast,
8 That euery wight to shrowd it did constrain,
And this faire couple eke to shroud themselues were fain.
1 Behind her far away a dwarf did lag, 2 That lazy seemed, in being ever last, 3 Or wearied with bearing of her bag 4 Of needments at his back. Thus as they passed,
needments > necessaries passed > passed; and perhaps: paced
5 The day with clouds was suddenly overcast, 6 And angry Jove a hideous storm of rain
Jove > [the heavens personified] hideous > terrific; hence: violent, torrential
7 Did pour into his leman's lap so fast
leman > mistress; wife (the Earth portrayed as the lover of Heaven)
8 That every wight to shroud it did constrain;
wight > person, creature, being shroud > take shelter; shelter (sb.)
9 And this fair couple eke to shroud themselves were fain.
eke > likewise fain > obliged; eager
101.7
Enforst to seeke some couert nigh at hand,
2 A shadie groue not far away they spide,
That promist ayde the +tempest+ to withstand:
4 Whose loftie trees yclad with sommers pride,
Did spred so broad, that heauens light did hide,
6 Not perceable with power of any starre:
And all within were pathes and alleies wide,
8 With footing worne, and leading inward farre:
Faire harbour that them seemes; so in they entred arre.
3 tempest > tempests 1609
1 Enforced to seek some covert nigh at hand, 2 A shady grove not far away they spied, 3 That promised aid, the tempest to withstand: 4 Whose lofty trees, clad with summer's pride,
pride > splendour; splendid adornment (with connotations of "pride" (1) in its modern sense, and (2) in the sense "sexual heat", "sexual desire". In combination, these are the undoing of the knight. Cf. "iolly" at 101.1:8)
5 Did spread so broad that heaven's light did hide,
did > [they did]
6 Not pierceable with power of any star:
pierceable > able to be pierced