6 By which he grew to grievous malady; 7 For in his lustless limbs, through evil guise,
lustless > {Listless; joyless, lacking pleasure or delight} guise > mode of life
8 A shaking fever reigned continually: 9 Such one was Idleness, first of this company.
104.21
And by his side rode loathsome Gluttony,
2 Deformed creature, on a filthie swyne,
His belly was vp-blowne with luxury,
4 And eke with fatnesse swollen were his eyne,
And like a Crane his necke was long and fyne,
6 With which he swallowd vp excessiue feast,
For want whereof poore people oft did pyne;
8 And all the way, most like a brutish beast,
He spued vp his gorge, that all did him deteast.
1 And by his side rode loathsome Gluttony, 2 Deformed creature, on a filthy swine; 3 His belly was up-blown with luxury,
up-blown > swollen luxury > surfeit, excess; dissipation
4 And eke with fatness swollen were his eyes;
eke > moreover
5 And, like a crane's, his neck was long and fine,
fine > thin, scrawny
6 With which he swallowed up excessive feast,
excessive > greedy, excessive; intemperate
7 For want whereof poor people oft did pine;
pine > waste away
8 And all the way, most like a brutish beast, 9 He spewed up his gorge, that all did him detest.
gorge > {Contents of stomach} that > [so that]
104.22
In greene vine leaues he was right fitly clad;
2 For other clothes he could not weare for heat,
And on his head an yuie girland had,
4 From vnder which fast trickled downe the sweat:
Still as he rode, he somewhat still did eat,
6 And in his hand did beare a bouzing can,
Of which he supt so oft, that on his seat
8 His dronken corse he scarse vpholden can,
In shape and life more like a monster, then a man.
1 In green vine-leaves he was right fitly clad:
fitly > (Spenser's Gluttony recalls Silenus (Met. 4.26-7, 11.89- 99); Silenus was the foster-father of Bacchus, god of wine)
2 For other clothes he could not wear for heat, 3 And on his head an ivy garland had,
ivy > (Sacred to Bacchus)
4 From under which fast trickled down the sweat. 5 Still as he rode he somewhat still did eat,
Still > Continually somewhat > a little, something
6 And in his hand did bear a boozing can,
boozing > drinking
7 Of which he supped so oft, that on his seat 8 His drunken corse he scarce uphold can,
corse > body
9 In shape and life more like a monster than a man.
104.23
Vnfit he was for any worldly thing,
2 And eke +vnhable+ once to stirre or go,
Not meet to be of counsell to a king,
4 Whose mind in meat and drinke was drowned so,
That from his friend he +seldome+ knew his fo:
6 Full of diseases was his carcas blew,
And a +dry dropsie+ through his flesh did flow:
8 Which by misdiet daily greater grew:
Such one was Gluttony, the second of that crew.
2 vnhable > vnable 1609 5 seldome > seeldome 1590; sildom 1609 7 dry dropsie > drydropsie 1590; dire dropsie _conj. Upton after Horace's dirus hydrops; _hydropsy sugg. Collier
1 Unfit he was for any worldly thing, 2 And eke unable once to stir or go;
eke > also once > ever, at all go > walk
3 Not meet to be of counsel to a king,
meet > fit king > [sovereign, i.e. Lucifera]
4 Whose mind in meat and drink was drowned so, 5 That from his friend he seldom knew his foe: 6 Full of diseases was his carcase blue,
blue > (The colour of putrid flesh)
7 And a dry dropsy through his flesh did flow,
dry dropsy > ?swelling, corpulence (a "wet" dropsy is a disease in which watery fluid collects in the tissues and body cavities. See also Textual Appendix)
8 Which by misdiet daily greater grew:
misdiet > improper diet
9 Such one was Gluttony, the second of that crew.
104.24
And next to him rode lustfull Lechery,
2 Vpon a bearded Goat, whose rugged haire,
And whally eyes (the signe of gelosy,)
4 Was like the person selfe, whom he did beare:
Who rough, and blacke, and filthy did appeare,
6 Vnseemely man to please faire Ladies eye;
Yet he of Ladies oft was loued deare,
8 When fairer faces were bid standen by:
O who does know the bent of womens fantasy?
1 And next to him rode lustful Lechery,
next to > immediately after; _the arrangement is:
FRONT Sloth Gluttony
Avarice Lechery
Envy Wrath
Satan
BACK Lucifera_
2 Upon a bearded goat, whose rugged hair
rugged > shaggy
3 And wall eyes (the sign of jealousy),
wall > whitely opaque; glaring
4 Was like the person himself whom it did bear:
Was like > [Resembled those of]
5 Who, rough and black, and filthy, did appear
appear > (Or "appear:", meaning "seem", "present himself to view")
6 Unseemly man to please fair ladies' eye; 7 Yet he of ladies oft was loved dear,
of > by
8 When fairer faces were bid to stand by: 9 O who does know the bent of women's fantasy?
104.25
In a greene gowne he clothed was full faire,
2 Which vnderneath did hide his filthinesse,
And in his hand a burning hart he bare,
4 Full of vaine follies, and new fanglenesse:
For he was false, and fraught with ficklenesse,
6 And learned had to loue with secret lookes,
And well could daunce, and sing with ruefulnesse,
8 And fortunes tell, and read in louing bookes,
And thousand other wayes, to bait his fleshly hookes.
1 In a green gown he clothed was full fair,
full > very, exceedingly
2 Which underneath did hide his filthiness,
filthiness > obscenity, moral defilement
3 And in his hand a burning heart he bore, 4 Full of vain follies and new-fangleness: 5 For he was false, and fraught with fickleness,
fraught > filled
6 And learned had to love with secret looks, 7 And well could dance, and sing with ruefulness, 8 And fortunes tell, and read in loving books,
loving books > erotica
9 And thousand other ways to bait his fleshly hooks.
fleshly > lustful
104.26
Inconstant man, that loued all he saw,
2 And lusted after all, that he did loue,
Ne would his looser life be tide to law,
4 But ioyd weake wemens hearts to +tempt+ and proue
If from their loyall loues he might them moue;
6 Which lewdnesse fild him with reprochfull paine
Of that fowle euill, which all men reproue,
8 That rots the marrow, and consumes the braine:
Such one was Lecherie, the third of all this traine.
4 tempt > tempt, 1590
1 Inconstant man, that loved all he saw, 2 And lusted after all that he did love, 3 Nor would his looser life be tied to law,
looser > too-loose
4 But joyed weak women's hearts to tempt, and prove
prove > test, try
5 If from their loyal loves he might them move; 6 Which lewdness filled him with reproachful pain
reproachful > {Worthy of reproach or censure}
7 Of that foul evil, which all men reprove,
that foul evil > [syphilis; or perhaps leprosy, noted by Hamilton (1980)]
8 That rots the marrow, and consumes the brain: 9 Such one was Lechery, the third of all this train.
104.27
And greedy Auarice by him did ride,
2 Vpon a Camell loaden all with gold;
Two iron +coffers+ hong on either side,
4 With precious mettall full, as they might hold,
And in his lap an heape of coine he told;
6 For of his wicked pelfe his God he made,
And vnto hell him selfe for money sold;
8 Accursed vsurie was all his trade,
And right and wrong ylike in equall ballaunce waide.
3 coffers > coffets 1590
1 And greedy Avarice by him did ride, 2 Upon a camel laden all with gold: 3 Two iron coffers hung on either side, 4 With precious metal full as they might hold,
might > could
5 And in his lap a heap of coin he told;
told > counted
6 For of his wicked pelf his god he made,
pelf > money, cash, "filthy lucre"
7 And to hell himself for money sold; 8 Accursed usury was all his trade, 9 And right and wrong alike in equal balance weighed.
104.28
His life was nigh vnto deaths doore yplast,
2 And thred-bare cote, and cobled shoes he ware,
Ne scarse good morsell all his life did tast,
4 But both from backe and belly still did spare,
To fill his bags, and richesse to compare;
6 Yet chylde ne kinsman liuing had he none
To leaue them to; but thorough daily care
8 To get, and nightly feare to lose his owne,
He led a wretched life vnto him selfe vnknowne.
1 His life was nigh to death's door placed, 2 And threadbare coat, and cobbled shoes, he wore;
cobbled > mended (usually repeatedly)
3 Nor scarce good morsel all his life did taste, 4 But both from back and belly still did spare,
still > always, continually
5 To fill his bags, and richesse to compare;
richesse > wealth compare > acquire, get
6 Yet child nor kinsman living had he none 7 To leave them to; but through daily care 8 To get, and nightly fear to lose, his own, 9 He led a wretched life, to himself unknown.
life, to himself unknown > [existence, not even realizing it; or, with a change in punctuation: life to himself, unknown (he was a solitary miser). Spenser may have intended both senses]
104.29
Most wretched wight, whom nothing might suffise,
2 Whose greedy lust did lacke in greatest store,
Whose need had end, but no end couetise,
4 Whose wealth was want, whose plenty made him pore,
Who had enough, yet wished +euer more+;
6 A vile disease, and eke in foote and hand
A grieuous gout tormented him full sore,
8 That well he could not touch, nor go, nor stand:
Such one was Auarice, the +fourth+ of this faire band.
5 euer more > euermore 1609 9 fourth > forth 1590
1 Most wretched wight, whom nothing might suffice,
wight > creature
2 Whose greedy lust did lack in greatest store,
lust > desire lack in greatest store > (A proverb: He who desires the most lacks the most; lack = want, store = measure)
3 Whose need had end, but no end covetise,
no end covetise > [whose covetousness had no end]
4 Whose wealth was want, whose plenty made him poor, 5 Who had enough, yet wished ever more;
wished ever > [ever wished]
6 A vile disease, and eke in foot and hand
eke > moreover, in addition
7 A grievous gout tormented him full sore,
full > exceedingly
8 That well he could not touch, nor go, nor stand:
That > [So that] go > walk
9 Such one was Avarice, the fourth of this fair band.
104.30
And next to him malicious Enuie rode,
2 Vpon a rauenous wolfe, and still did chaw
Betweene his cankred teeth a venemous tode,
4 That all the poison ran about his +chaw+;
But inwardly he chawed his owne maw
6 At neighbours wealth, that made him euer sad;
For death it was, when any good he saw,
8 And wept, that cause of weeping none he had,
But when he heard of harme, he wexed wondrous glad.
4 chaw > jaw 1609
1 And next to him malicious Envy rode
next to > immediately after
2 Upon a ravenous wolf, and still did chaw
still > ever, continually chaw > chew, champ upon; fig.: ruminate, brood upon
3 Between his cankered teeth a venomous toad,
cankered > ulcerated
4 That all the poison ran about his chaw;
That > [So that] chaw > jaw, jaws
5 But inwardly he chawed his own maw
maw > stomach
6 At neighbour's wealth, that made him ever sad;
neighbour > [specifically, perhaps, Avarice] wealth > wealth; or: well-being
7 For death it was, when any good he saw, 8 And wept, that cause of weeping none he had, 9 But when he heard of harm he waxed wondrous glad.
waxed > grew
104.31
All in a kirtle of discolourd say
2 He clothed was, ypainted full of eyes;
And in his bosome secretly there lay
4 An hatefull Snake, the which his taile vptyes
In many folds, and mortall sting implyes.
6 Still as he rode, he gnasht his teeth, to see
Those heapes of gold with griple Couetyse,
8 And grudged at the great felicitie
Of proud Lucifera, and his owne companie.
1 All in a kirtle of discoloured say
kirtle > coat (reaching to knees or beyond) discoloured > varicoloured say > {A thin material used for cloaks, etc.}
2 He clothed was, painted full of eyes; 3 And in his bosom secretly there lay 4 A hateful snake, which its tail upties 5 In many folds, and mortal sting implies.
mortal > lethal implies > (Literally) enfolds; conceals
6 Still as he rode, he gnashed his teeth to see
Still > Continually
7 Those heaps of gold with gripple covetise,
gripple > griping, niggardly covetise > covetousness, avarice
8 And grudged at the great felicity
grudged at > begrudged, envied
9 Of proud Lucifera, and his own company.
104.32
He hated all good workes and vertuous deeds,
2 And him no lesse, that any like did vse,
And who with gracious bread the hungry feeds,
4 His almes for want of faith he doth accuse;
So euery good to bad he doth abuse:
6 And eke the verse of famous Poets witt
He does backebite, and spightfull poison spues
8 From leprous mouth on all, that euer writt:
Such one vile Enuie was, that +fifte+ in row did sitt.
9 fifte > first 1590 etc.: FE
1 He hated all good works and virtuous deeds, 2 And him no less, that any like did use;
like > of the sort use > undertake, perform, practise
3 And who with gracious bread the hungry feeds,
who > [whoever]
4 His alms for want of faith he does accuse;
alms > charitable actions
5 So every good to bad he does abuse:
So every good to bad he does abuse > [He imputes his own values to everyone else; "abuse" here = "misrepresent"]
6 And eke the verse of famous poets' wit
eke > also
7 He does backbite, and spiteful poison spews 8 From leprous mouth on all that ever writ:
writ > was written; or: wrote
9 Such one vile Envy was, that fifth in row did sit.
104.33
And him beside rides fierce reuenging Wrath,
2 Vpon a Lion, loth for to be led;
And in his hand a burning brond he hath,
4 The which he brandisheth about his hed;
His eyes did hurle forth sparkles fiery red,
6 And stared sterne on all, that him beheld,
As ashes pale of hew and seeming ded;
8 And on his dagger still his hand he held,
Trembling through hasty rage, when choler in him sweld.
1 And him beside rides fierce revenging Wrath, 2 Upon a lion, loath to be led; 3 And in his hand a burning brand he has,
brand > brand; or, perhaps: sword
4 Which he brandishes about his head; 5 His eyes did hurl forth sparkles fiery red, 6 And stared stern on all that him beheld,
stern > fiercely, mercilessly
7 As ashes pale of hue, and seeming dead;
hue > colour [his complexion was as pale as ashes]
8 And on his dagger still his hand he held,
still > continuously
9 Trembling through hasty rage, when choler in him swelled.
choler > (One of the four principal humours of the body, which, according to medieval belief, determine one's mental and physical attributes: phlegm, blood, black bile, and choler. Choler was associated with rage)
104.34
His ruffin raiment all was staind with blood,
2 Which he had spilt, and all to rags yrent,
Through vnaduized rashnesse woxen wood;
4 For of his hands he had no gouernement,
Ne car'd for bloud in his auengement:
6 But when the furious fit was ouerpast,
His cruell facts he often would repent;
8 Yet wilfull man he neuer would forecast,
How many mischieues should ensue his heedlesse hast.
1 His ruffin raiment all was stained with blood
ruffin > ruffian, ruffianly (also the name of a fiend, and a cant- word for the Devil) raiment > clothing
2 Which he had spilt, and all to rags rent,
rent > torn
3 Through unadvised rashness waxed wood;
unadvised > ill-considered waxed > grown, become wood > furious, mad [When through ill-considered rashness he had become furious]
4 For of his hands he had no government,
government > control
5 Nor cared for blood in his avengement:
cared for > cared about, shrank from [shedding] avengement > vengeance
6 But, when the furious fit was overpassed,
overpassed > over, at an end
7 His cruel facts he often would repent;
facts > deeds
8 Yet, wilful man, he never would forecast
forecast > [consider beforehand]
9 How many mischiefs should ensue his heedless haste.
mischiefs > evils, misfortunes ensue > follow
104.35
Full many mischiefes follow cruell Wrath;
2 Abhorred bloudshed, and tumultuous strife,
Vnmanly murder, and vnthrifty scath,
4 Bitter despight, with rancours rusty knife,
And fretting griefe the enemy of life;
6 All these, and many euils moe haunt ire,
The swelling Splene, and Frenzy raging rife,
8 The shaking Palsey, and Saint Fraunces fire:
Such one was Wrath, the last of this vngodly tire.
1 Full many mischiefs follow cruel Wrath:
Full > Very, exceedingly mischiefs > evils, misfortunes
2 Abhorred bloodshed, and tumultuous strife, 3 Unmanly murder, and unthrifty scathe,
Unmanly > {Dishonourable to, degrading to, unbefitting a man} unthrifty > unfortunate; prodigal, profligate scathe > damage, harm
4 Bitter despite, with rancour's rusty knife,
despite > rage; malice rusty > blood-stained; dirty; rusty
5 And fretting grief, the enemy of life;
fretting > devouring; gnawing (cf. 106.44:5)
6 All these, and many evils more, haunt Ire,
Ire > [Wrath]
7 The swelling spleen, and frenzy raging rife,
spleen > {Spite; the organ itself, with which anger and spite were associated}
8 The shaking palsy, and Saint Francis' fire:
Saint Francis' fire > {Erysipelas, a skin disease characterized by a deep red colour}
9 Such one was Wrath, the last of this ungodly tire.
tire > accoutrement, equipment; ornament, embellishment [of Lucifera] or: ?team (from the Common Romanic tirare, to draw, pull)
104.36
And after all, vpon the wagon beame
2 Rode +Sathan+, with a smarting whip in hand,
With which he forward lasht the laesie teme,
4 So oft as Slowth still in the mire did stand.
Huge routs of people did about them band,
6 Showting for ioy, and still before their way
A foggy mist had couered all the land;
8 And vnderneath their feet, all scattered lay
Dead sculs and bones of men, whose life had gone astray.
2 Sathan > Satan 1609
1 And, after all, upon the wagon beam 2 Rode Satan, with a smarting whip in hand, 3 With which he forward lashed the lazy team, 4 So oft as Sloth still in the mire did stand.
still > motionless; yet
5 Huge routs of people did about them band,
routs > {Crowds, clamorous or riotous assemblages}
6 Shouting for joy; and still before their way 7 A foggy mist had covered all the land;
mist > (Symbol of deception: cf. 102.38:5, 212.34:5)
8 And, underneath their feet, all scattered lay 9 Dead skulls and bones of men whose life had gone astray.
104.37
So forth they marchen in this goodly sort,
2 To take the solace of the open aire,
And in fresh flowring fields themselues to sport;
4 Emongst the rest rode that false Lady faire,
The fowle Duessa, next vnto the chaire
6 Of proud +Lucifera+, as one of the traine:
But that good knight would not so nigh repaire,
8 Him selfe estraunging from their ioyaunce vaine,
Whose fellowship seemd far vnfit for warlike swaine.
6 Lucifera > Lucifer' 1590
1 So forth they march in this goodly sort,
goodly > fine; courteous sort > company, band
2 To take the solace of the open air,
solace > pleasure, comfort (implying relief)
3 And in fresh flowering fields themselves to sport; 4 Amongst the rest rode that false lady fair, 5 The foul Duessa, next to the chair
chair > chariot, car; hence: coach
6 Of proud Lucifera, as one of the train: 7 But that good knight would not so nigh repair,
repair > go, betake himself
8 Himself estranging from their joyance vain,
estranging > distancing joyance > merrymaking; delight (this word apparently coined by Spenser) vain > vain; foolish, empty
9 Whose fellowship seemed far unfit for warlike swain.
swain > youth, young man
104.38
So hauing solaced themselues a space
2 With pleasaunce of the breathing fields yfed,
They backe returned to the Princely Place;
4 Whereas an errant knight in armes ycled,
And heathnish shield, wherein with letters red
6 Was writ Sans ioy, they new arriued find:
Enflam'd with fury and fiers hardy-hed,
8 He seemd in hart to harbour thoughts vnkind,
And nourish bloudy vengeaunce in his bitter mind.
1 So, having solaced themselves a space, 2 With pleasance of the breathing fields fed,
breathing > airy
3 They back returned to the princely place; 4 Where an errant knight in arms clad,
errant > itinerant (a "knight errant" roamed in quest of adventure; the word-order here also implies the sense of erring, deviating, etc.)
5 And heathenish shield, wherein with letters red 6 Was written Sansjoy, they new arrived find:
new > newly
7 Inflamed with fury and fierce hardihood,
hardihood > audacity, boldness; hardness
8 He seemed in heart to harbour thoughts unkind, 9 And nourish bloody vengeance in his bitter mind.
104.39
Who when the shamed shield of slaine Sans foy
2 He spide with that same Faery champions page,
Bewraying him, that did of late destroy
4 His eldest brother, burning all with rage
He to him leapt, and that same enuious gage
6 Of victors glory from him snatcht away:
But th'Elfin knight, which ought that warlike wage,
8 Disdaind to +loose+ the meed he wonne in fray,
And him +rencountring+ fierce, reskewd the noble pray.
8 loose > lose 1609 9 rencountring > re'ncountring 1609
1 Who, when the shamed shield of slain Sansfoy
shamed > (Because it is placed upside-down: see 104.41:9)
2 He spied with that same Faery champion's page
page > [the dwarf]
3 (Bewraying him that did of late destroy
Bewraying > Revealing, betraying
4 His eldest brother), burning all with rage 5 He to him leapt, and that same envious gage
envious > enviable; also: odious gage > pledge
6 Of victor's glory from him snatched away: 7 But the Elfin knight, which ought that warlike wage,
ought > owned wage > spoil of war
8 Disdained to loose the meed he won in fray;
loose > release meed > reward; hence: prize
9 And, him rencountering fierce, rescued the noble prey.
rencountering > engaging (in battle) prey > plunder, spoil
104.40
Therewith they gan to +hurtlen+ greedily,
2 Redoubted battaile ready to darrayne,
And clash their shields, and shake their +swords+ on hy,
4 That with their sturre they troubled all the traine;
Till that great Queene vpon eternall paine
6 Of high displeasure, that ensewen might,
Commaunded them their fury to refraine,
8 And if that either to that shield had right,
In equall lists they should the morrow next it fight.
1 hurtlen > hurlen 1609 3 swords > swerds 1590
1 Therewith they began to hurtle greedily,
Therewith > With that; thereupon hurtle > brandish arms (catachr.); clash, rush together greedily > recklessly, eagerly
2 Redoubted battle ready to deraign,
Redoubted > Doughty, valiant, redoubtable deraign > {Challenge; fight a contest in order to settle a dispute}
3 And clash their shields, and shake their swords on high, 4 That with their stir they troubled all the train;
That > [So that] train > retinue
5 Till that great queen, upon eternal pain 6 Of high displeasure that ensue might,
ensue might > [might ensue]
7 Commanded them their fury to refrain, 8 And, if either to that shield had right, 9 In equal lists they should the morrow next it fight.
equal lists > impartial knightly contest ("lists" were the palisades enclosing the tilting-ground) it fight > [contest the right to the shield]
104.41
Ah dearest Dame, (quoth then the Paynim bold,)
2 Pardon the errour of enraged wight,
Whom great griefe made forget the raines to hold
4 Of reasons rule, to see this recreant knight,
No knight, but treachour full of false despight
6 And shamefull treason, who through guile hath slayn
The prowest knight, that euer field did fight,
8 Euen stout Sans foy (O who can then refrayn?)
Whose shield he beares +renuerst+, the more to heape disdayn.
9 renuerst > re'nverst 1609
1 "Ah, dearest dame," quoth then the paynim bold,
paynim > pagan, heathen
2 "Pardon the error of enraged wight,
wight > person
3 Whom great grief made forget the reins to hold 4 Of reason's rule, to see this recreant knight
recreant > cowardly; apostate
5 (No knight, but treacher full of false despite
treacher > cheat, deceiver despite > malice
6 And shameful treason) who through guile has slain 7 The prowest knight that ever field did fight,
prowest > bravest field > [a] battle; [in the] field of battle
8 Even stout Sansfoy (O who can then refrain?),
Even > To wit; that is; no less than refrain > restrain oneself [from anger, desire for revenge]
9 Whose shield he bears reversed, the more to heap disdain.
reversed > upside-down (symbolizing ignominious defeat)
104.42
And to augment the glorie of his guile,
2 His dearest loue the faire Fidessa loe
Is there possessed of the traytour vile,
4 Who reapes the haruest sowen by his foe,
Sowen in bloudy field, and bought with woe:
6 That brothers hand shall dearely well requight
So be, {o^} Queene, you equall fauour showe.
8 Him litle answerd th'angry Elfin knight;
He neuer meant with words, but swords to plead his right.
1 "And, to augment the glory of his guile,
glory > [boastful spirit]
2 His dearest love, the fair Fidessa, lo 3 Is there possessed of the traitor vile,
of > by
4 Who reaps the harvest sown by his foe, 5 Sown in bloody field, and bought with woe: 6 That brother's hand shall dearly well requite,
That > [That deed his]
7 So be, O Queen, you equal favour show!"
So be > If equal > impartial
8 Him little answered the angry Elfin knight; 9 He never meant with words, but swords, to plead his right.
104.43
But threw his gauntlet as a sacred +pledge+,
2 His cause in combat the next day to try:
So been they parted both, with harts on +edge+,
4 To be aueng'd each on his enimy.
That night they pas in ioy and iollity,
6 Feasting and courting both in bowre and hall;
For Steward was excessiue Gluttonie,
8 That of his plenty poured forth to all;
Which doen, the Chamberlain Slowth did to rest them call.
1 pledge > pledg 1590 3 edge > edg 1590
1 But threw his gauntlet as a sacred pledge, 2 His cause in combat the next day to try: 3 So been they parted both, with hearts on edge
been > [were]
4 To be avenged each on his enemy. 5 That night they pass in joy and jollity,
jollity > revelry
6 Feasting and courting both in bower and hall; 7 For steward was excessive Gluttony, 8 That of his plenty poured forth to all; 9 Which done, the chamberlain, Sloth, did to rest them call.
104.44
Now whenas darkesome night had all displayd
2 Her coleblacke curtein ouer brightest skye,
The warlike youthes on dayntie couches layd,
4 Did chace away sweet sleepe from sluggish eye,
To muse on meanes of hoped victory.
6 But whenas Morpheus had with leaden mace
Arrested all that courtly company,
8 Vp-rose Duessa from her resting place,
And to the Paynims lodging comes with silent pace.
1 Now when darksome Night had all displayed
Night > (See 105.20 ff.) displayed > spread, spread out
2 Her coal-black curtain over brightest sky, 3 The warlike youths, on dainty couches laid, 4 Did chase away sweet sleep from sluggish eye, 5 To muse on means of hoped victory. 6 But when Morpheus had with leaden mace
Morpheus > (The god of dreams: one of the sons of Somnus, the god of sleep)
7 Arrested all that courtly company, 8 Uprose Duessa from her resting place, 9 And to the paynim's lodging comes with silent pace.
paynim > pagan, heathen pace > movement, step
104.45
Whom broad awake she finds, in troublous fit,
2 Forecasting, how his foe he might annoy,
And him amoues with speaches seeming fit:
4 Ah deare Sans ioy, next dearest to Sans foy,
Cause of my new griefe, cause of +my+ new ioy,
6 Ioyous, to see his ymage in mine eye,
And greeu'd, to thinke how foe did him destroy,
8 That was the flowre of grace and cheualrye;
Lo his Fidessa to thy secret faith I flye.
5 my > omitted from 1590 and 1596: FE
1 Whom broad awake she finds, in troublous fit,
fit > condition, mood
2 Forecasting how his foe he might annoy,
Forecasting > Planning annoy > injure
3 And him amoves with speeches seeming fit:
amoves > stirs fit > fit, appropriate
4 "Ah, dear Sansjoy, next dearest to Sansfoy, 5 Cause of my new grief, cause of my new joy; 6 Joyous, to see his image in my eye, 7 And grieved, to think how foe did him destroy, 8 That was the flower of grace and chivalry; 9 Lo his Fidessa, to your secret faith I fly."
104.46
With gentle wordes he can her fairely greet,
2 And bad say on the secret of her hart.
Then sighing soft, I learne that litle sweet
4 Oft tempred is (quoth she) with muchell smart:
For since my brest was launcht with louely dart
6 Of deare Sansfoy, I neuer ioyed howre,
But in eternall woes my weaker hart
8 Haue wasted, louing him with all my powre,
And for his sake haue felt full many an heauie stowre.
1 With gentle words he can her fairly greet,
gentle > generous; courteous can > did fairly > courteously
2 And bade say on the secret of her heart.
say on > tell
3 Then, sighing soft, "I learn that little sweet 4 Oft tempered is," quoth she, "with mickle smart:
mickle > much
5 For since my breast was lanced with lovely dart
lovely > amorous
6 Of dear Sansfoy, I never joyed hour,
joyed > [enjoyed an]
7 But in eternal woes my weaker heart
weaker > too-weak
8 Have wasted, loving him with all my power, 9 And for his sake have felt full many a heavy stour.
full > very stour > [time of] turmoil or distress
104.47
At last when perils all I weened past,
2 And hop'd to reape the crop of all my care,
Into new woes vnweeting I was cast,
4 By this false faytor, who vnworthy ware
His worthy shield, whom he with guilefull snare
6 Entrapped slew, and brought to shamefull graue.
Me silly maid away with him he bare,
8 And euer since hath kept in darksome caue,
For that I would not yeeld, that to Sans-foy I gaue.
1 "At last, when perils all I weened past,
weened > supposed
2 And hoped to reap the crop of all my care, 3 Into new woes unweeting I was cast
unweeting > ignorant, unwitting
4 By this false faitour, who unworthy wears
faitour > impostor, cheat wears > bears, carries
5 His worthy shield, whom he, with guileful snare,
His > [Sansfoy's] he > [the Redcross Knight]
6 Entrapped slew, and brought to shameful grave.
Entrapped slew > [Killed while trapped]
7 Me, silly maid, away with him he bore,
silly > defenceless; innocent
8 And ever since has kept in darksome cave, 9 For that I would not yield that to Sansfoy I gave.
For that > Because that > [that which]
104.48
But since faire Sunne hath sperst that lowring clowd,
2 And to my loathed life now shewes some light,
Vnder your beames I will me safely shrowd,
4 From dreaded storme of his disdainfull spight:
To you th'inheritance belongs by right
6 Of brothers prayse, to you eke longs his loue.
Let not his loue, let not his restlesse spright
8 Be vnreueng'd, that calles to you aboue
From wandring Stygian shores, where it doth endlesse moue.
1 "But since fair sun has spersed that louring cloud,
spersed > dispersed
2 And to my loathed life now shows some light, 3 Under your beams I will me safely shroud
shroud > take shelter
4 From dreaded storm of his disdainful spite:
disdainful > angry
5 To you the inheritance belongs by right 6 Of brother's praise, to you eke belongs his love.
praise > praiseworthiness; merit, virtue eke > also
7 Let not his love, let not his restless spirit, 8 Be unrevenged, that calls to you above 9 From wandering Stygian shores, where it does endless move."
Stygian > {Of the River Styx, one of the five rivers of hell; the river across which dead souls must pass. See Aen., 6.312 ff.} endless > eternally
104.49
Thereto said he, faire Dame, be nought dismaid
2 For sorrowes past; their griefe is with them gone:
Ne yet of present perill be affraid;
4 For needlesse feare did neuer vantage none,
And helplesse hap it booteth not to mone.
6 Dead is Sans-foy, his vitall paines are past,
Though greeued ghost for vengeance deepe do grone:
8 He liues, that shall him pay his dewties last,
And guiltie Elfin bloud shall sacrifice in hast.
1 Thereto said he, "Fair dame, be naught dismayed
Thereto > To that
2 For sorrows past; their grief is with them gone: 3 Nor yet of present peril be afraid; 4 For needless fear did never vantage none,
vantage > profit, benefit none > anyone
5 And helpless hap it boots not to moan.
helpless hap it boots not to moan > [it is of no avail to bemoan an unavoidable occurrence]
6 Dead is Sansfoy, his vital pains are past,
vital > [of life, worldly]
7 Though grieved ghost for vengeance deep do groan:
grieved > [his] injured
8 He lives, that shall him pay his duties last,
He > [The Redcross Knight] duties > debts
9 And guilty Elfin blood shall sacrifice in haste."
104.50
O but I feare the fickle freakes (quoth shee)
2 Of fortune +false+, and oddes of armes in field.
Why dame (quoth he) what oddes can euer bee,
4 Where both do fight alike, to win or yield?
Yea but (quoth she) he beares a charmed shield,
6 And eke enchaunted armes, that none can perce,
Ne none can wound the man, that does them wield.
8 Charmd or enchaunted (answerd he then ferce)
I no whit reck, ne you the like need to reherce.
2 false > salse 1596
1 "O but I fear the fickle freaks," quoth she,
freaks > whims
2 "Of Fortune false, and odds of arms in field."
odds > differences, inequalities field > battle, the field of battle
3 "Why, dame," quoth he, "what odds can ever be, 4 Where both do fight alike, to win or yield?"
alike > [in equal lists: see 104.40:9]
5 "Yes, but," quoth she, "he bears a charmed shield, 6 And eke enchanted arms, that none can pierce,
eke > moreover
7 Nor none can wound the man that does them wield."
none can > can anyone
8 "Charmed or enchanted," answered he then fierce, 9 "I no whit reck; nor you the like need to rehearse.
reck > care about, take account of rehearse > give an account of
104.51
But faire Fidessa, sithens fortunes guile,
2 Or enimies powre hath now captiued you,
Returne from whence ye came, and rest a while
4 Till morrow next, that I the Elfe subdew,
And with Sans-foyes dead dowry you endew.
6 Ay me, that is a double death (she said)
With proud foes sight my sorrow to renew:
8 Where euer yet I be, my secret aid
Shall follow you. So passing forth she him obaid.
1 "But, fair Fidessa, sithens Fortune's guile
sithens > since
2 Or enemy's power has now captived you,
captived you > taken you captive
3 Return from whence you came, and rest awhile, 4 Till morrow next, that I the Elf subdue,
that > when
5 And with Sansfoy's dead dowry you endew."
Sansfoy's dead > [dead Sansfoy's] endew > endow; or: endue
6 "Ay me! That is a double death," she said, 7 "With proud foe's sight my sorrow to renew: 8 Wherever yet I be, my secret aid 9 Shall follow you." So, passing forth, she him obeyed.
CANTO V
The faithfull knight in equall field
2 subdewes his faithlesse foe,
Whom false Duessa saues, and for
4 his cure to hell does goe.
1 The faithful knight in equal field
equal field > impartial battle
2 subdues his faithless foe, 3 Whom false Duessa saves, and for 4 his cure to hell does go.
105.1
THe noble hart, that harbours vertuous thought,
2 And is with child of glorious great intent,
Can neuer rest, vntill it forth haue brought
4 Th'eternall brood of glorie excellent:
Such restlesse passion did all night torment
6 The flaming corage of that Faery knight,
Deuizing, how that doughtie turnament
8 With greatest honour he atchieuen might;
Still did +he+ wake, and still did watch for dawning light.
9 he > omitted from 1596
1 The noble heart, that harbours virtuous thought,
virtuous > potent, powerful, valorous
2 And is with child of glorious great intent,
with child > [pregnant] glorious > {Eager for glory}
3 Can never rest, until it forth has brought 4 The eternal brood of glory excellent:
excellent > excelling; supreme
5 Such restless passion did all night torment 6 The flaming courage of that Faery knight,
courage > heart, mind
7 Devising how that doughty tournament 8 With greatest honour he achieve might;
achieve > [bring to successful conclusion]
9 Still did he wake, and still did watch for dawning light.
Still > Continuously
105.2
At last the golden Orientall +gate,+
2 Of greatest heauen gan to open faire,
And Ph{oe}bus fresh, as bridegrome to his mate,
4 Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie haire:
And +hurld+ his glistring beames through gloomy aire.
6 Which when the wakeful Elfe perceiu'd, streight way
He started vp, and did him selfe prepaire,
8 In sun-bright armes, and battailous array:
For with that Pagan proud he combat will that day.
1 gate, > gate 1609 5 hurld > hurls 1590, 1596: FE; hurles 1609
1 At last the golden oriental gate
oriental > eastern
2 Of greatest heaven began to open fair, 3 And Phoebus fresh, as bridegroom to his mate,
bridegroom > (See Ps. 19.5)
4 Came dancing forth, shaking his dewy hair: 5 And hurled his glistering beams through gloomy air. 6 Which when the wakeful Elf perceived, straightway 7 He started up, and did himself prepare, 8 In sun-bright arms, and battailous array:
arms > {Arms and armour} battailous > warlike, ready for battle
9 For with that pagan proud he combat will that day.
105.3
And forth he comes into the +commune+ hall,
2 Where earely waite him many a gazing eye,
To weet what end to straunger knights may fall.
4 There many Minstrales maken melody,
To driue away the dull melancholy,
6 And many Bardes, that to the trembling chord
Can tune their timely voyces cunningly,
8 And many Chroniclers, that can record
Old loues, and warres for Ladies doen by many a Lord.
1 commune > common 1609
1 And forth he comes into the common hall, 2 Where early wait him many a gazing eye, 3 To weet what end to stranger knights may fall.
weet > know, find out
4 There many minstrels make melody,
minstrels > musicians
5 To drive away the dull melancholy, 6 And many bards, that to the trembling chord
bards > singers
7 Can tune their timely voices cunningly,
Can > Did; knew how to timely > {Measured; keeping time with the music}
8 And many chroniclers, that can record
chroniclers > writers of epics can > can, knew how to
9 Old loves, and wars for ladies done by many a lord.
105.4
Soone after comes the cruell Sarazin,
2 In wouen maile all armed warily,
And sternly lookes at him, who not a pin
4 Does care for looke of liuing creatures eye.
They bring them wines of Greece and Araby,
6 And daintie spices fetcht from furthest Ynd,
To kindle heat of corage priuily:
8 And in the wine a solemne oth they bynd
T'obserue the sacred lawes of armes, that are assynd.
1 Soon after comes the cruel Saracen,
Saracen > {Arab or Moslem of the time of the Crusades; pagan}
2 In woven mail all armed warily,
mail > chain armour warily > carefully
3 And sternly looks at him, who not a pin
sternly > fiercely
4 Does care for look of living creature's eye. 5 They bring them wines of Greece and Arabia, 6 And dainty spices fetched from furthest Ind,
dainty > precious Ind > India
7 To kindle heat of courage privily:
privily > inwardly
8 And in the wine a solemn oath they bind, 9 To observe the sacred laws of arms, that are assigned.
105.5
At last forth comes that far renowmed Queene,
2 With royall pomp and Princely maiestie;
She is ybrought vnto a paled greene,
4 And placed vnder stately canapee,
The warlike feates of both those knights to see.
6 On th'other side in all mens open vew
Duessa placed is, and on a tree
8 Sans-foy his shield is hangd with bloudy hew:
Both those the lawrell girlonds to the victor dew.
1 At last forth comes that far renowned queen, 2 With royal pomp and princely majesty; 3 She is brought to a paled green,
paled > {Fenced, surrounded with palings}
4 And placed under stately canopy, 5 The warlike feats of both those knights to see. 6 On the other side in all men's open view 7 Duessa placed is, and on a tree 8 Sansfoy his shield is hung with bloody hue:
Sansfoy his > Sansfoy's with bloody hue > [with its bloodstains]
9 Both those the laurel garlands to the victor due.
105.6
A shrilling trompet sownded from on hye,
2 And vnto battaill bad them selues addresse:
Their shining shieldes about their +wrestes+ they tye,
4 And burning blades about their heads do blesse,
The instruments of wrath and heauinesse:
6 With greedy force each other doth assayle,
And strike so fiercely, that they do impresse
8 Deepe dinted furrowes in the battred mayle;
The yron walles to ward their blowes are weake and fraile.
3 wrestes > wrists 1609
1 A shrilling trumpet sounded from on high, 2 And to battle bade themselves address: 3 Their shining shields about their wrists they tie, 4 And burning blades about their heads do bless,
bless > brandish
5 The instruments of wrath and heaviness:
heaviness > anger; grief
6 With greedy force each other does assail,
greedy > eager; insensate, reckless
7 And strike so fiercely, that they do impress 8 Deep dented furrows in the battered mail;
mail > chain armour
9 The iron walls to ward their blows are weak and frail.
iron walls > [of their armour]
105.7
The Sarazin was stout, and wondrous strong,
2 And heaped blowes like yron hammers great:
For after bloud and vengeance he did long.
4 The knight was fiers, and full of youthly heat:
And doubled strokes, like dreaded thunders threat:
6 For all for prayse and honour he did fight.
Both stricken strike, and beaten both do beat,
8 That from their shields forth flyeth firie light,
And +helmets hewen+ deepe, shew marks of eithers might.
9 helmets hewen > hewen helmets 1590
1 The Saracen was stout, and wondrous strong,
stout > robust; proud; bold, brave
2 And heaped blows like iron hammers great: 3 For after blood and vengeance he did long. 4 The knight was fierce, and full of youthly heat: 5 And doubled strokes, like dreaded thunder's threat:
doubled > (Vb.)
6 For all for praise and honour he did fight. 7 Both stricken strike, and beaten both do beat, 8 That from their shields forth flies fiery light,
That > [So that]
9 And helmets hewed deep show marks of either's might.
deep > deeply
105.8
So th'one for wrong, the other striues for right:
2 As when a Gryfon seized of his pray,
A Dragon fiers encountreth in his flight,
4 Through widest ayre making his ydle way,
That would his rightfull rauine rend away:
6 With hideous horrour both together smight,
And souce so sore, that they the heauens affray:
8 The wise Southsayer seeing so sad sight,
Th'amazed vulgar tels of warres and mortall fight.
1 So the one for wrong, the other strives for right: 2 As when a griffin, seized of his prey,
griffin > {Monster with the body of a lion and head and wings of an eagle} seized > in rightful possession
3 A dragon fierce encounters in his flight, 4 Through widest air making his idle way, 5 That would his rightful ravin rend away:
That > [The dragon] ravin > plunder, prey
6 With hideous horror both together smite,
hideous > abominable; terrific; immense
7 And souse so sore that they the heavens affray:
souse > strike heavy blows; perhaps also: swoop (as a hawk on its prey) affray > terrify
8 The wise soothsayer, seeing so sad sight,
sad > calamitous, ominous [a]
9 The amazed vulgar tells of wars and mortal fight.
vulgar > common people mortal > deadly, lethal
105.9
So th'one for wrong, the other striues for right,
2 And each to deadly shame would driue his foe:
The cruell steele so greedily doth bight
4 In tender flesh, that streames of bloud down flow,
With which the armes, that earst so bright did show
6 Into a pure vermillion now are dyde:
Great ruth in all the gazers harts did grow,
8 Seeing the gored woundes to gape so wyde,
That victory they dare not wish to either side.
1 So the one for wrong, the other strives for right, 2 And each to deadly shame would drive his foe: 3 The cruel steel so greedily does bite 4 In tender flesh, that streams of blood down flow, 5 With which the arms, that erst so bright did show,
the arms > [the armour] erst > at first
6 Into a pure vermilion now are dyed: 7 Great ruth in all the gazers' hearts did grow,
ruth > pity
8 Seeing the gored wounds to gape so wide, 9 That victory they dare not wish to either side.
105.10
At last the Paynim chaunst to cast his eye,
2 His suddein eye, flaming with wrathfull fyre,
Vpon his brothers shield, which hong thereby:
4 Therewith redoubled was his raging yre,
And said, Ah wretched sonne of wofull syre,
6 Doest thou sit wayling by black Stygian lake,
Whilest here thy shield is hangd for victors hyre,
8 And sluggish german doest thy forces slake,
To after-send his foe, that him may ouertake?