6 Or tidings of her knight of the Redcross. 7 But he, them spying, began to turn aside, 8 For fear, as seemed, or for some feigned loss;
for some feigned loss > [as though he had lost something]
9 More greedy they of news, fast towards him do cross.
greedy > eager of > for
106.35
A silly man, in simple weedes forworne,
2 And soild with dust of the long dried way;
His sandales were with toilesome trauell torne,
4 And face all tand with scorching sunny ray,
As he had traueild many a sommers day,
6 Through boyling sands of Arabie and Ynde;
And in his hand a Iacobs staffe, to stay
8 His wearie limbes vpon: and eke behind,
His scrip did hang, in which his needments he did bind.
1 A silly man, in simple weeds forworn,
silly > simple, guileless (cf. 101.29-30) weeds forworn > worn-out clothes
2 And soiled with dust of the long dried way; 3 His sandals were with toilsome travel torn,
toilsome > wearisome
4 And face all tanned with scorching sunny ray, 5 As he had travelled many a summer's day,
As > [As though]
6 Through boiling sands of Arabia and Ind;
Ind > India
7 And in his hand a Jacob's staff, to stay
Jacob's staff > pilgrim's staff (named after St James (Jacobus), whose symbols are a pilgrim's staff and a scallop shell; see Gen. 32.10) stay > rest, support
8 His weary limbs upon: and eke behind
eke > also
9 His scrip did hang, in which his needments he did bind.
scrip > {Satchel, wallet, esp. one carried by a pilgrim, shepherd, or beggar} needments > necessaries
106.36
The knight approching nigh, of him inquerd
2 Tydings of warre, and of aduentures new;
But warres, nor new aduentures none he herd.
4 Then Vna gan to aske, if ought he knew,
Or heard abroad of that her champion trew,
6 That in his armour bare a croslet red.
Aye me, Deare dame (quoth he) well may I rew
8 To tell the sad sight, which mine eies haue red:
These eyes did see that knight both liuing and eke ded.
1 The knight, approaching nigh, of him inquired 2 Tidings of war, and of adventures new; 3 But wars, nor new adventures, none he heard.
wars > [of wars] he > [he had]
4 Then Una gan to ask, if aught he knew,
gan to > began to; did
5 Or heard abroad, of her champion true, 6 That in his armour bore a crosslet red.
in > [on] crosslet > small cross (term in heraldry)
7 "Ay me, dear dame!" quoth he, "well may I rue
Ay me > Ah me! Alas! (chiefly in northern dialect)
8 To tell the sad sight which my eyes have read:
read > seen
9 These eyes did see that knight both living and eke dead."
eke > also
106.37
That cruell word her tender hart so thrild,
2 That suddein cold did runne through euery vaine,
And stony horrour all her sences fild
4 With dying fit, that downe she fell for paine.
The knight her lightly reared vp againe,
6 And comforted with curteous kind reliefe:
Then wonne from death, she bad him tellen plaine
8 The further processe of her hidden griefe;
The lesser pangs can beare, who hath endur'd the chiefe.
1 That cruel word her tender heart so thrilled
thrilled > pierced
2 That sudden cold did run through every vein, 3 And stony horror all her senses filled 4 With dying fit, that down she fell for pain.
dying > deathly that > [so that]
5 The knight her lightly reared up again,
lightly > easily, quickly
6 And comforted with courteous kind relief; 7 Then, won from death, she bade him tell plain
him > [the pilgrim]
8 The further process of her hidden grief:
process > story, account
9 The lesser pangs can bear, who has endured the chief.
can > [one can]
106.38
Then gan the Pilgrim thus, I chaunst this day,
2 This fatall day, that shall I euer rew,
To see two knights in trauell on my way
4 (A sory sight) arraung'd in battell new,
Both breathing vengeaunce, both of wrathfull hew:
6 My fearefull flesh did tremble at their strife,
To see their blades so greedily imbrew,
8 That +drunke+ with bloud, yet +thristed+ after life:
What more? the Redcrosse knight was slaine with Paynim knife.
8 drunke > dronke 1590 8 thristed > thirsted 1609
1 Then began the pilgrim thus, "I chanced this day, 2 This fatal day, that shall I ever rue, 3 To see two knights in travel on my way 4 (A sorry sight) arranged in battle new,
new > [having already jousted on horseback with spears, and now fighting anew, on foot with swords]
5 Both breathing vengeance, both of wrathful hue:
hue > appearance
6 My fearful flesh did tremble at their strife, 7 To see their blades so greedily imbrue,
greedily > eagerly, recklessly imbrue > soak [themselves with blood]
8 That drunk with blood, yet thirsted after life:
drunk > drank; or: were drunk
9 What more? The Redcross Knight was slain with paynim knife."
paynim > pagan, heathen knife > sword
106.39
Ah dearest Lord (quoth she) how might that bee,
2 And he the stoutest knight, that euer wonne?
Ah dearest dame (quoth he) how might I see
4 The thing, that might not be, and yet was donne?
Where is (said Satyrane) that Paynims sonne,
6 That him of life, and vs of ioy hath reft?
Not far away (quoth he) he hence doth wonne
8 Foreby a fountaine, where I late him left
Washing his bloudy wounds, that through the steele were cleft.
1 "Ah, dearest Lord!" quoth she, "how might that be, 2 And he the stoutest knight, that ever won?"
stoutest > bravest; strongest ever won > invariably used to win; or: ever lived
3 "Ah, dearest dame," quoth he, "how might I see 4 The thing that might not be, and yet was done?" 5 "Where is," said Satyrane, "that paynim's son,
paynim > pagan, heathen
6 That him of life, and us of joy, has reft?"
reft > bereaved
7 "Not far away," quoth he, "he hence does won,
hence > from here, away from here (pleonastic) won > dwell; hence: remain
8 Forby a fountain, where I late him left
Forby > Hard by, near late > recently
9 Washing his bloody wounds, that through the steel were cleft."
106.40
Therewith the knight thence marched forth in hast,
2 Whiles Vna with huge heauinesse opprest,
Could not for sorrow follow him so fast;
4 And soone he came, as he the place had ghest,
Whereas that Pagan proud him selfe did rest,
6 In secret shadow by a fountaine side:
Euen he it was, that earst would haue supprest
8 Faire Vna: whom when Satyrane espide,
With fowle reprochfull words he boldly him defide.
1 Therewith the knight thence marched forth in haste,
Therewith > With that, thereupon
2 While Una, with huge heaviness oppressed,
heaviness > sadness, grief
3 Could not for sorrow follow him so fast; 4 And soon he came, as he the place had guessed, 5 Where that pagan proud himself did rest
that pagan proud > [Sansloy]
6 In secret shadow by a fountain's side:
secret > hidden
7 Even he it was, that erst would have suppressed
erst > recently suppressed > forced (cf. 106.4:9)
8 Fair Una: whom when Satyrane espied, 9 With foul reproachful words he boldly him defied.
106.41
And said, Arise thou cursed Miscreaunt,
2 That hast with knightlesse guile and trecherous train
Faire knighthood fowly shamed, and doest vaunt
4 That good knight of the Redcrosse to haue slain:
Arise, and with like treason now maintain
6 Thy guilty wrong, or else thee guilty yield.
The Sarazin this hearing, rose amain,
8 And catching vp in hast his three square shield,
And shining helmet, soone him buckled to the field.
1 And said, "Arise, you cursed miscreant,
miscreant > infidel; villain; wretch
2 That has with knightless guile and treacherous train
knightless > unknightly, unchivalrous train > deceit
3 Fair knighthood foully shamed, and do vaunt
vaunt > boast
4 That good knight of the Redcross to have slain: 5 Arise, and with like treason now maintain
maintain > defend, uphold
6 Your guilty wrong, or else you guilty yield." 7 The Saracen, this hearing, rose amain,
amain > abruptly, violently
8 And, catching up in haste his three-square shield
three-square > equilaterally triangular
9 And shining helmet, soon him buckled to the field.
him buckled to the field > made himself ready for the field of battle; buckled his armour
106.42
And drawing nigh him said, Ah misborne Elfe,
2 In euill houre thy foes thee hither sent,
Anothers wrongs to wreake vpon thy selfe:
4 Yet ill thou blamest me, for hauing blent
My name with guile and traiterous intent;
6 That Redcrosse knight, perdie, I neuer slew,
But had he beene, where earst his armes were lent,
8 Th'enchaunter vaine his errour should not rew:
But thou his errour shalt, I hope now prouen trew.
1 And, drawing nigh him, said, "Ah, misborn Elf!
misborn > {Base-born; born out of wedlock; deformed as a result of premature birth}
2 In evil hour your foes you hither sent, 3 Another's wrongs to wreak upon yourself: 4 Yet ill you blame me for having blended
ill > wrongly blended > stirred up; hence: rendered turbid, defiled
5 My name with guile and traitorous intent; 6 That Redcross Knight, pardie, I never slew,
pardie > truly; "by God"
7 But had he been where erst his arms were lent,
erst > lately (a reference to Sansloy's fight with the disguised Archimago at 103.34-39)
8 The enchanter vain his error should not rue:
vain > feeble, weak; foolish; vainly
9 But you his error shall, I hope, now prove true."
error > (Either Archimago's error in disguising himself as the Redcross Knight, or the error made by the Redcross Knight in killing Sansfoy, which ultimately led to Archimago being wounded and unhorsed) hope > think, predict prove > [through combat]
106.43
Therewith they gan, both furious and fell,
2 To thunder blowes, and fiersly to assaile
Each other bent his enimy to quell,
4 That with their force they perst both plate and maile,
And made wide furrowes in their fleshes fraile,
6 That it would pitty any liuing eie.
Large floods of bloud adowne their sides did raile;
8 But floods of bloud could not them satisfie:
Both hungred after death: both chose to win, or die.
1 Therewith they began, both furious and fell,
Therewith > With that, thereupon fell > fierce, terrible
2 To thunder blows, and fiercely to assail,
assail > attack (quasi-intransitive)
3 Each other bent his enemy to quell,
bent > determined quell > kill (rather than merely vanquish: see line 9)
4 That with their force they pierced both plate and mail,
That > [So that] plate and mail > (Implying that they are wearing armour consisting both of steel plates and of chain mail)
5 And made wide furrows in their fleshes frail,
fleshes > bodies
6 That it would pity any living eye.
That > [So that] pity > [move to pity]
7 Large floods of blood down their sides did rail;
Large > Plentiful, copious rail > gush, flow
8 But floods of blood could not them satisfy: 9 Both hungered after death: both chose to win, or die.
106.44
So long they fight, and +fell+ reuenge pursue,
2 That fainting each, themselues to breathen let,
And oft refreshed, battell oft renue:
4 As when two Bores with rancling malice met,
Their gory sides fresh bleeding fiercely fret,
6 Till breathlesse both them selues aside retire,
Where foming wrath, their cruell tuskes they whet,
8 And trample th'earth, the whiles they may respire;
Then backe to fight againe, new breathed and entire.
1 fell > full 1590
1 So long they fight, and fell revenge pursue,
fell > fierce, terrible
2 That, fainting each, themselves to breathe let,
fainting each, themselves to breathe let > [the fact that each becomes temporarily faint allows them both a chance to recover their breath]
3 And, oft refreshed, battle oft renew: 4 As when two boars, with rankling malice met, 5 Their gory sides fresh-bleeding fiercely fret,
fret > cut [with crisscross wounds]; gnaw, devour
6 Till, breathless, both themselves aside retire, 7 Where, foaming wrath, their cruel tusks they whet, 8 And trample the earth, while they may respire,
respire > breathe again, recover breath
9 Then back to fight again, new breathed and entire.
entire > fresh, refreshed
106.45
So fiersly, when these knights had breathed once,
2 They gan to fight returne, increasing more
Their puissant force, and cruell rage attonce,
4 With heaped strokes more hugely, then before,
That with their drerie wounds and bloudy gore
6 They both deformed, scarsely could be known.
By this sad Vna fraught with anguish sore,
8 Led with their noise, which through the aire was +thrown:+
Arriu'd, where they in erth their fruitles bloud had sown.
8 thrown: > thrown, 1609
1 So fiercely, when these knights had breathed once, 2 They gan to fight return (increasing more
gan > did
3 Their puissant force and cruel rage at once
puissant > powerful at once > simultaneously
4 With heaped strokes, more hugely than before), 5 That with their dreary wounds and bloody gore
dreary > gory; grievous
6 They both, deformed, scarcely could be known.
deformed > disfigured, rendered hideous
7 By this sad Una, fraught with anguish sore,
By this > At this; by this time fraught > filled
8 Led with their noise, which through the air was thrown, 9 Arrived where they in earth their fruitless blood had sown.
106.46
Whom all so soone as that proud Sarazin
2 Espide, he gan reuiue the memory
Of his lewd lusts, and late attempted sin,
4 And left the doubtfull battell hastily,
To catch her, newly offred to his eie:
6 But Satyrane with strokes him turning, staid,
And sternely bad him other businesse plie,
8 Then hunt the steps of pure vnspotted Maid:
Wherewith he all enrag'd, these bitter speaches said.
1 Whom all so soon as that proud Saracen 2 Espied, he gan revive the memory
gan > did
3 Of his lewd lusts and late attempted sin,
late > lately
4 And left the doubtful battle hastily,
doubtful > doubtful (of uncertain outcome); also: fearful, awful
5 To catch her, newly offered to his eye: 6 But Satyrane, with strokes him turning, stayed 7 And sternly bade him other business ply 8 Than hunt the steps of pure unspotted maid: 9 Wherewith he, all enraged, these bitter speeches said:
106.47
O foolish faeries sonne, what furie mad
2 Hath thee incenst, to hast thy dolefull +fate+?
Were it not better, I that Lady had,
4 Then that thou hadst repented it too late?
Most sencelesse man he, that himselfe doth hate,
6 To loue another. Lo then for thine ayd
Here take thy louers token on thy pate.
8 So they +two+ fight; the whiles the royall Mayd
Fled farre away, of that proud Paynim sore afrayd.
2 fate > fete 1596 8 two > to 1590; cf. 203.28:1, 307.9:3
1 "O foolish Faery's son, what fury mad 2 Has you incensed to hasten your doleful fate? 3 Were it not better I that lady had, 4 Than that you had repented it too late? 5 Most senseless man he, that himself does hate, 6 To love another. Lo then, for your aid,
your aid > [your aiding Una]
7 Here, take your lover's token on your pate!"
lover's token > {Keepsake, mark of affection, e.g. a ribbon, often worn on the helmet}
8 So they two fight; the whiles the royal maid
two > (See Textual Appendix) the whiles > meanwhile
9 Fled far away, of that proud paynim sore afraid.
paynim > pagan, heathen
106.48
But that false Pilgrim, which that leasing told,
2 Being in deed old Archimage, did stay
In secret shadow, all this to behold,
4 And much reioyced in their bloudy fray:
But when he saw the Damsell passe away
6 He left his stond, and her pursewd apace,
In hope to bring her to her last decay.
8 But for to tell her lamentable cace,
And eke this battels end, will need another place.
1 But that false pilgrim, who that leasing told,
leasing > lie, untrue story
2 Being indeed old Archimago, did stay 3 In secret shadow, all this to behold,
secret > hidden
4 And much rejoiced in their bloody fray: 5 But, when he saw the damsel pass away, 6 He left his stand, and her pursued apace,
apace > swiftly
7 In hope to bring her to her last decay.
decay > downfall, destruction (last decay = death)
8 But to tell her lamentable case, 9 And eke this battle's end, will need another place.
eke > also, moreover, in addition
CANTO VII
2 The Redcrosse knight is captiue made
By Gyaunt proud opprest,
4 Prince Arthur meets with Vna great-
ly with those newes distrest.
1 The Redcross Knight is captive made
made > [made and]
2 By giant proud oppressed,
proud > [proud is] oppressed > taken by surprise; suppressed, overwhelmed
3 Prince Arthur meets with Una great- 4 ly with this news distressed.
107.1
WHat man so wise, what earthly wit so ware,
2 As to descry the crafty cunning traine,
By which deceipt doth maske in visour faire,
4 And cast her colours dyed deepe in graine,
To seeme like Truth, whose shape she well can faine,
6 And fitting gestures to her purpose +frame;+
The guiltlesse man with guile to entertaine?
8 Great maistresse of her art was that false Dame,
The false Duessa, cloked with Fidessaes name.
6 frame; > frame, 1609
1 What man so wise, what earthly wit so ware,
wit > mind, intelligence ware > vigilant, cautious
2 As to descry the crafty cunning train
train > wile, trick
3 By which Deceit does mask in visor fair,
mask > {Disguise [herself]; take part in a masquerade} visor > outward appearance
4 And cast her colours, died deep in grain,
cast > arrange, dispose (as an artist might when painting)
5 To seem like Truth (whose shape she well can feign), 6 And fitting gestures to her purpose frame, 7 The guiltless man with guile to entertain?
entertain > engage, keep occupied
8 Great mistress of her art was that false dame, 9 The false Duessa, cloaked with Fidessa's name.
107.2
Who when returning from the drery Night,
2 She fownd not in that perilous house of Pryde,
Where she had left, the noble Redcrosse knight,
4 Her hoped pray; she would no lenger bide,
But forth she went, to seeke him far and wide.
6 Ere long she fownd, whereas he wearie sate,
To reste him selfe, foreby a fountaine side,
8 Disarmed all of yron-coted Plate,
And by his side his steed the grassy forage ate.
1 Who, when returning from the dreary Night,
dreary > cruel, dire
2 She found not in that perilous House of Pride 3 (Where she had left the noble Redcross Knight) 4 Her hoped prey, she would no longer bide,
bide > abide, remain, wait; sojourn (chiefly in northern dialect)
5 But forth she went, to seek him far and wide. 6 Ere long she found where he weary sat 7 To rest himself, forby a fountain side,
forby > hard by, near
8 Disarmed all of iron-coated plate,
plate > armour
9 And by his side his steed the grassy forage ate.
107.3
He feedes vpon the cooling shade, and bayes
2 His sweatie forehead in the breathing wind,
Which through the trembling leaues full gently playes
4 Wherein the cherefull birds of sundry kind
Do chaunt sweet musick, to delight his mind:
6 The Witch approching gan him fairely greet,
And with reproch of carelesnesse vnkind
8 Vpbrayd, for leauing her in place vnmeet,
With fowle words tempring faire, soure gall with hony sweet.
1 He feeds upon the cooling shade, and bathes 2 His sweaty forehead in the breathing wind, 3 Which through the trembling leaves full gently plays,
full > entirely, quite
4 Wherein the cheerful birds of sundry kind 5 Do chant sweet music, to delight his mind. 6 The witch, approaching, gan him fairly greet,
gan > did fairly > courteously
7 And, with reproach of carelessness unkind, 8 Upbraid, for leaving her in place unmeet;
Upbraid > [Upbraid him] unmeet > unsuitable, improper, unfitting
9 With foul words tempering fair, sour gall with honey sweet.
107.4
Vnkindnesse past, they gan of solace treat,
2 And bathe in pleasaunce of the ioyous shade,
Which shielded them against the boyling heat,
4 And with greene boughes decking a gloomy glade,
About the fountaine like a girlond made;
6 Whose bubbling waue did euer freshly well,
Ne euer would through feruent sommer fade:
8 The sacred Nymph, which therein wont to dwell,
Was out of Dianes fauour, as it then befell.
1 Unkindness past, they gan of solace treat,
gan > did; began to solace > pleasure, enjoyment treat > to discourse, to deal
2 And bathe in pleasance of the joyous shade,
pleasance > [the pleasure-giving quality]
3 Which shielded them against the boiling heat, 4 And, with green boughs decking a gloomy glade, 5 About the fountain like a garland made; 6 Whose bubbling wave did ever freshly well, 7 Nor ever would through fervent summer fade:
fade > weaken, decline
8 The sacred nymph, who therein wont to dwell,
nymph > (Nymphs are the minor female divinities with whom the Greeks peopled all parts of nature: the seas, springs, rivers, grottoes, trees, mountains. The nymph referred to here is one of the naiads (see 106.18:3), nymphs of fresh water. Many of these presided over springs which were believed to inspire those who drank the water) wont > was accustomed
9 Was out of Diana's favour, as it then befell.
107.5
The cause was this: one day when Ph{oe}be fayre
2 With all her band was following the chace,
This Nymph, quite tyr'd with heat of scorching ayre
4 Sat downe to rest in middest of the race:
The goddesse wroth gan fowly +her+ disgrace,
6 And bad the waters, which from her did flow,
Be such as she her selfe was then in place.
8 Thenceforth her waters waxed dull and slow,
And all that drunke thereof, +did+ faint and feeble grow.
5 her > he 1596 9 did > do 1590
1 The cause was this: one day, when Phoebe fair
Phoebe > (A name for Diana in her aspect as goddess of the moon)
2 With all her band was following the chase, 3 This nymph, quite tired with heat of scorching air,
heat > [the heat]
4 Sat down to rest in middest of the race;
middest > the middle
5 The goddess, wroth, gan foully her disgrace,
gan > did disgrace > disparage, revile
6 And bade the waters, which from her did flow, 7 Be such as she herself was then in place.
Be > [To be] in place > there
8 Thenceforth her waters waxed dull and slow,
waxed > grew, became
9 And all that drank thereof did faint and feeble grow.
107.6
Hereof this gentle knight vnweeting was,
2 And lying downe vpon the sandie graile,
Drunke of the streame, as cleare as cristall +glas,+
4 Eftsoones his manly forces gan to faile,
And mightie strong was turnd to feeble fraile.
6 His chaunged powres at first them selues not felt,
Till crudled cold his corage can assaile,
8 And chearefull bloud in faintnesse chill did melt,
Which like a feuer fit through all his body swelt.
3 glas, > glas: 1590; glas; 1609
1 Hereof this gentle knight unweeting was,
Hereof > Of this unweeting > ignorant
2 And, lying down upon the sandy grail,
grail > gravel
3 Drank of the stream, as clear as crystal glass; 4 Eftsoons his manly forces began to fail,
Eftsoons > Thereupon, forthwith manly > {Pertaining to human beings; also: manly, in the modern sense}
5 And mighty strong was turned to feeble frail. 6 His changed powers at first themselves not felt,
not > [were not]
7 Till curdled cold his courage can assail,
can > did
8 And cheerful blood in faintness chill did melt,
cheerful > lively, animating
9 Which like a fever-fit through all his body swelt.
swelt > broiled
107.7
Yet goodly court he made still to his Dame,
2 Pourd out in loosnesse on the grassy grownd,
Both carelesse of his health, and of his fame:
4 Till at the last he heard a dreadfull sownd,
Which through the wood loud bellowing, did rebownd,
6 That all the earth for terrour seemd to shake,
And trees did tremble. Th'Elfe therewith astownd,
8 Vpstarted lightly from his looser make,
And his vnready weapons gan in hand to take.
1 Yet goodly court he made still to his dame, 2 Poured out in looseness on the grassy ground,
looseness > laxity, dissolution
3 Both careless of his health, and of his fame:
Both > [Both he and Duessa; or: He is both]
4 Till at the last he heard a dreadful sound
at the last > finally
5 Which, through the wood loudly bellowing, did rebound, 6 That all the earth for terror seemed to shake,
That > [So that]
7 And trees did tremble. The Elf, therewith astounded,
therewith > with that astounded > amazed, confounded
8 Upstarted lightly from his looser make,
Upstarted > Started up lightly > quickly looser > looser (in the modern moral sense); also: too-loose make > companion, mate
9 And his unready weapons began in hand to take.
107.8
But ere he could his armour on him dight,
2 Or get his shield, his monstrous enimy
With sturdie steps came stalking in his sight,
4 An hideous Geant horrible and hye,
That with his talnesse seemd to threat the skye,
6 The ground eke groned vnder him for dreed;
His liuing like saw neuer liuing eye,
8 Ne durst behold: his stature did exceed
The hight of three the tallest sonnes of mortall seed.
1 But ere he could his armour on him dight,
dight > make ready, array; hence: fasten
2 Or get his shield, his monstrous enemy 3 With sturdy steps came stalking in his sight,
sturdy > stern; surly; reckless stalking > {Advancing with a striding, swaggering gait}
4 A hideous giant, horrible and high, 5 That with his tallness seemed to threaten the sky, 6 The ground eke groaned under him for dread;
eke > moreover, in addition
7 His living like saw never living eye, 8 Nor dared behold: his stature did exceed 9 The height of three the tallest sons of mortal seed.
three > [three of] seed > children, offspring
107.9
The greatest Earth his vncouth mother was,
2 And blustring AEolus his boasted sire,
Who with his breath, which through the world doth pas,
4 Her hollow womb did secretly inspire,
And fild her hidden caues with stormie yre,
6 That she conceiu'd; and trebling the dew time,
In which the wombes of women do expire,
8 Brought forth this monstrous masse of earthly slime,
Puft vp with emptie wind, and fild with sinfull crime.
1 The greatest Earth his uncouth mother was,
uncouth > unknown, uncertainly known; strange, bizarre
2 And blustering Aeolus his boasted sire,
Aeolus > (God of the winds) sire > father
3 Who with his breath, which through the world does pass, 4 Her hollow womb did secretly inspire,
inspire > breathe life into, quicken
5 And filled her hidden caves with stormy ire, 6 That she conceived; and trebling the due time
That > [So that]
7 In which the wombs of women do expire,
expire > become void, come to an end, terminate, so: come to term
8 Brought forth this monstrous mass of earthly slime,
earthly > mortal slime > flesh
9 Puffed up with empty wind, and fild with sinful crime.
fild > filled; or: filed: defiled (cf. 105.32:2 etc. The same interpretation may apply in line 5)
107.10
So growen great through arrogant delight
2 Of th'high descent, whereof he was yborne,
And through presumption of his matchlesse might,
4 All other powres and knighthood he did scorne.
Such now he marcheth to this man forlorne,
6 And left to losse: his stalking steps are stayde
Vpon a snaggy Oke, which he had torne
8 Out of his mothers bowelles, and it made
His mortall mace, wherewith his foemen he dismayde.
1 So grown great through arrogant delight 2 Of the high descent whereof he was born, 3 And through presumption of his matchless might, 4 All other powers and knighthood he did scorn. 5 Such now he marches to this man forlorn 6 And left to loss: his stalking steps are stayed
stalking > {Advancing with a striding, swaggering gait} stayed > supported
7 Upon a snaggy oak, which he had torn
snaggy > knotty
8 Out of his mother's bowels, and it made 9 His mortal mace, wherewith his foemen he dismayed.
mortal > lethal wherewith > with which foemen > foes dismayed > defeated
107.11
That when the knight he spide, he gan aduance
2 With huge force and insupportable mayne,
And towardes him with dreadfull fury praunce;
4 Who haplesse, and eke +hopelesse,+ all in vaine
Did to him pace, sad battaile to darrayne,
6 Disarmd, disgrast, and inwardly dismayde,
And eke so faint in euery ioynt and vaine,
8 Through that fraile fountaine, which him feeble made,
That scarsely could he weeld his bootlesse single blade.
4 hopelesse, > hopelesse; 1590, 1596
1 When the knight he spied, he gan advance
gan > did; began to
2 With huge force and insupportable main,
insupportable > irresistible main > strength, power
3 And towards him with dreadful fury prance;
prance > swagger
4 Who, hapless, and eke hopeless, all in vain
eke > also
5 Did to him pace, sad battle to deraign,
to > towards sad > grievous deraign > challenge
6 Disarmed, disgraced, and inwardly dismayed, 7 And eke so faint in every joint and vein,
joint > limb
8 Through that frail fountain, which him feeble made,
frail > enfeebling
9 That scarcely could he wield his bootless single blade.
bootless > unavailing single > single, solitary; unaided
107.12
The Geaunt strooke so maynly mercilesse,
2 That could haue ouerthrowne a stony towre,
And were not heauenly grace, that him did blesse,
4 He had beene pouldred all, as thin as flowre:
But he was wary of that deadly stowre,
6 And lightly lept from vnderneath the blow:
Yet so exceeding was the villeins powre,
8 That with the wind it did him ouerthrow,
And all his sences +stound+, that still he lay full low.
9 stound > stoond 1590
1 The giant struck so mainly merciless,
mainly > powerfully, violently
2 That could have overthrown a stony tower,
That > [That he; That the stroke]
3 And, were not heavenly grace that him did bless,
were not > [were it not; had it not been for] him > [the Redcross Knight] bless > guard, protect from evil
4 He had been powdered all as thin as flour:
had > [would have been]
5 But he was wary of that deadly stour,
stour > peril
6 And lightly leapt from underneath the blow:
lightly > quickly, easily
7 Yet so exceeding was the villain's power, 8 That with the wind it did him overthrow 9 And all his senses stun, that still he lay full low.
that > [so that] full > very, exceedingly
107.13
As when that diuelish yron Engin wrought
2 In deepest Hell, and framd by Furies skill,
With windy Nitre and quick Sulphur fraught,
4 And ramd with bullet round, ordaind to kill,
Conceiueth fire, the heauens it doth fill
6 With thundring noyse, and all the ayre doth choke,
That none can breath, nor see, nor heare at will,
8 Through smouldry cloud of duskish stincking smoke,
That th'onely breath him daunts, who hath escapt the stroke.
1 As when that devilish iron engine, wrought 2 In deepest hell, and framed by Furies' skill,
framed > fashioned
3 With windy nitre and quick sulphur fraught,
windy > {Generating wind, gas} nitre > {Saltpetre or potassium nitrate, a component of gunpowder} quick > readily inflammable fraught > filled
4 And rammed with bullet round, ordained to kill,
bullet > cannon-ball
5 Conceives fire, the heavens it does fill
Conceives fire > Detonates
6 With thundering noise, and all the air does choke, 7 That none can breathe, nor see, nor hear at will,
That > [So that]
8 Through smouldry cloud of duskish stinking smoke,
smouldry > {Smothery, tending to smother}
9 That the only breath him daunts, who has escaped the stroke.
That > [?And] only breath > blast alone stroke > [impact of the ball]
107.14
So daunted when the Geaunt saw the +knight+
2 His heauie hand he heaued vp on hye,
And him to dust thought to haue battred quight,
4 Vntill Duessa loud to him gan crye;
O great Orgoglio, greatest vnder skye,
6 O hold thy mortall hand for Ladies sake,
Hold for my sake, and do him not to dye,
8 But vanquisht thine eternall bondslaue make,
And me thy worthy meed vnto thy Leman take.
1 knight > knight, 1590, 1609
1 So daunted, when the giant saw the knight,
So daunted, > [The knight was similarly daunted; and]
2 His heavy hand he heaved up on high, 3 And him to dust thought to have battered quite, 4 Until Duessa loud to him gan cry:
gan > did
5 "O great Orgoglio, greatest under sky,
Orgoglio > "Pride" (Italian)
6 O hold thy mortal hand for lady's sake,
mortal > lethal
7 Hold for my sake, and do him not to die,
him not to die > [not put him to death; cf. 108.45:7]
8 But, vanquished, your eternal bondslave make; 9 And me, your worthy meed, unto your leman take."
meed > reward unto > as (expressing acquisition or addition) leman > lover
107.15
He hearkned, and did stay from further harmes,
2 To gayne so goodly guerdon, as she spake:
So willingly she came into his armes,
4 Who her as willingly to grace did take,
And was possessed of his new found make.
6 Then vp he tooke the slombred sencelesse corse,
And ere he could out of his swowne awake,
8 Him to his castle brought with hastie forse,
And in a Dongeon deepe him threw without remorse.
1 He hearkened, and did stay from further harms,
stay > desist
2 To gain so goodly guerdon as she spoke:
goodly > beautiful [a] guerdon > reward, recompense [for denying himself the pleasure of killing the Redcross Knight] spoke > [spoke of]
3 So willingly she came into his arms, 4 Who her as willingly to grace did take,
to grace > into his favour
5 And was possessed of his newfound make.
was possessed of > was possessed of; was possessed by (in the sexual sense) make > mate
6 Then up he took the slumbered senseless corse,
slumbered > unconscious corse > body
7 And, ere he could out of his swoon awake, 8 Him to his castle brought with hasty force, 9 And in a dungeon deep him threw without remorse.
in > [into]
107.16
From that day forth Duessa was his deare,
2 And highly honourd in his haughtie eye,
He gaue her gold and purple pall to weare,
4 And triple crowne set on her head full hye,
And her endowd with royall maiestye:
6 Then for to make her dreaded more of men,
And peoples harts with awfull terrour tye,
8 A monstrous beast ybred in filthy fen
He chose, which he had kept long time in darksome den.
1 From that day forth Duessa was his dear, 2 And highly honoured in his haughty eye; 3 He gave her gold and purple pall to wear,
pall > robe, cloak (see Rev. 17.4)
4 And triple crown set on her head full high,
triple crown > (The papal tiara) full > very, exceedingly
5 And her endowed with royal majesty: 6 Then, to make her dreaded more of men,
of > by
7 And people's hearts with awful terror tie,
tie > [to] bind, [to] confine
8 A monstrous beast, bred in filthy fen, 9 He chose, which he had kept long time in darksome den.
107.17
Such one it was, as that renowmed Snake
2 Which great Alcides in Stremona slew,
Long fostred in the filth of Lerna lake,
4 Whose many heads out budding euer new,
Did breed him endlesse labour to subdew:
6 But this same Monster much more vgly was;
For seuen great heads out of his body grew,
8 An yron brest, and backe of scaly bras,
And all embrewd in bloud, his eyes did shine as glas.
1 Such one it was, as that renowned snake
snake > (The Hydra, which grew two heads for each one cut off: it lived in the swamps of Lerna Lake in Argos and was killed by Hercules as his second labour; see Met. 9.68-74)
2 Which great Alcides in Stremona slew,
Alcides > (Another name for Hercules, grandson of Alceus)
Stremona > (Perhaps another name for Thrace, of which the River
Strymon forms one boundary. Thrace was noted for its seditions
(Upton); though Lerna was not in Thrace)
3 Long fostered in the filth of Lerna lake, 4 Whose many heads, out-budding ever new, 5 Did breed him endless labour to subdue:
breed > engender
6 But this same monster much more ugly was; 7 For seven great heads out of his body grew,
seven great heads > (Referring to Rev. 13.1, and perhaps also to the seven hills of Rome)
8 An iron breast, and back of scaly brass, 9 And, all imbrued in blood, his eyes did shine as glass.
imbrued > stained, soaked
107.18
His tayle was stretched out in wondrous length,
2 That to the house of heauenly gods it raught,
And with extorted powre, and borrow'd strength,
4 The euer-burning lamps from thence it +brought+,
And prowdly threw to ground, as things of +nought+;
6 And vnderneath his filthy feet did tread
The sacred things, and holy heasts foretaught.
8 Vpon this dreadfull Beast with seuenfold head
He set the false Duessa, for more aw and dread.
4 brought > braught 1590 5 nought > naught 1590
1 His tail was stretched out in wondrous length, 2 That to the house of heavenly gods it raught,
That > [So that] raught > reached
3 And with extorted power, and borrowed strength,
extorted > usurped (i.e. by the Roman Catholic church)
4 The ever-burning lamps from thence it brought,
lamps > [stars; see Dan. 8.10-13, 7.23]
5 And proudly threw to ground, as things of naught; 6 And underneath his filthy feet did tread 7 The sacred things, and holy hests foretaught.
hests > commands, injunctions, behests foretaught > taught of old
8 Upon this dreadful beast with sevenfold head 9 He set the false Duessa, for more awe and dread.
107.19
The wofull Dwarfe, which saw his maisters fall,
2 Whiles he had keeping of his grasing steed,
And valiant knight become a caytiue thrall,
4 When all was past, tooke vp his forlorne weed,
His mightie armour, missing most at need;
6 His siluer shield, now idle maisterlesse;
His poynant speare, that many made to bleed,
8 The rueful moniments of heauinesse,
And with them all departes, to tell his great distresse.
1 The woeful dwarf, who saw his master's fall 2 While he had keeping of his grazing steed, 3 And valiant knight become a caitiff thrall,
And > [And saw a] caitiff thrall > wretched slave
4 When all was past, took up his forlorn weed,
weed > attire
5 His mighty armour, missing most at need;
most > [when most]
6 His silver shield, now idle, masterless; 7 His poignant spear, that many made to bleed,
poignant > sharp-pointed, piercing
8 The rueful monuments of heaviness,
heaviness > grief, sadness
9 And with them all departs, to tell his great distress.
tell > recount
107.20
He had not trauaild long, when on the way
2 He wofull Ladie, wofull Vna met,
Fast flying from +the+ Paynims greedy pray,
4 Whilest Satyrane him from pursuit did let:
Who when her eyes she on the Dwarfe had set,
6 And saw the signes, that deadly tydings spake,
She fell to ground for sorrowfull regret,
8 And liuely breath her sad brest did forsake,
Yet might her pitteous hart be seene to pant and quake.
3 the > that 1590
1 He had not travelled long, when on the way 2 He woeful lady, woeful Una, met,
He > [He the]
3 Fast flying from the paynim's greedy prey,
flying > fleeing paynim > pagan, heathen [Sansloy] greedy prey > eager clutches ("prey" = the action of preying, seizing, or taking by force)
4 Whilst Satyrane him from pursuit did let:
let > hinder
5 Who, when her eyes she on the dwarf had set, 6 And saw the signs that deadly tidings spoke, 7 Fell to ground for sorrowful regret;
regret > {Distress caused by an external event: an obsolete usage}
8 And lively breath her sad breast did forsake,
lively > living, vital
9 Yet might her piteous heart be seen to pant and quake.
might > could piteous > {Pious, godly; compassionate; worthy of or exciting pity}
107.21
The messenger of so vnhappie newes,
2 Would faine haue dyde: dead was his hart within,
Yet outwardly some little comfort shewes:
4 At last recouering hart, he does begin
To rub her temples, and to chaufe her chin,
6 And euery tender part does tosse and turne:
So hardly he the flitted life does win,
8 Vnto her natiue prison to retourne:
Then gins her grieued ghost thus to lament and mourne.
1 The messenger of so unhappy news
so > such
2 Would fain have died: dead was his heart within,
fain > gladly, willingly
3 Yet outwardly some little comfort shows: 4 At last, recovering heart, he does begin 5 To rub her temples, and to chafe her chin,
chafe > {Rub in order to restore circulation and sensation} chin > cheek, lower jaw (from Old Norse kinn)
6 And every tender part does toss and turn: 7 So hardly he the flitted life does win
hardly > with difficulty win > persuade
8 To her native prison to return:
native prison > natural prison [of her soul]; hence: heart, body
9 Then begins her grieved ghost thus to lament and mourn:
ghost > spirit
107.22
Ye dreary instruments of dolefull sight,
2 That doe this deadly spectacle behold,
Why do ye lenger feed on loathed light,
4 Or liking find to gaze on earthly mould,
Sith cruell fates the carefull threeds vnfould,
6 The which my life and loue together tyde?
Now let the stony dart of senselesse cold
8 Perce to my hart, and pas through euery side,
And let eternall night so sad sight fro me hide.
1 "You dreary instruments of doleful sight, 2 That do this deadly spectacle behold, 3 Why do you longer feed on loathed light,
longer > still
4 Or liking find to gaze on earthly mould,
liking > pleasure mould > form, forms
5 Sith cruel Fates the careful threads unfold,
Sith > Since [the] Fates > (The three goddesses, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who spin the thread of human destiny, cutting it with shears whenever they choose; see 402.48) careful > {Full of cares}
6 Which my life and love together tied? 7 Now let the stony dart of senseless cold 8 Pierce to my heart, and pass through every side, 9 And let eternal night so sad sight from me hide.
so > such a
107.23
O lightsome day, the lampe of highest Ioue,
2 First made by him, mens wandring wayes to guyde,
When darknesse he in deepest dongeon droue,
4 Henceforth thy hated face for euer hyde,
And shut vp heauens windowes shyning wyde:
6 For earthly sight can nought but sorrow breed,
And late repentance, which shall long abyde.
8 Mine eyes no more on vanitie shall feed,
But seeled vp with death, shall haue their deadly meed.
1 "O lightsome day, the lamp of highest Jove, 2 First made by him, men's wandering ways to guide, 3 When darkness he in deepest dungeon drove, 4 Henceforth your hated face for ever hide, 5 And shut up heaven's windows, shining wide: 6 For earthly sight can naught but sorrow breed, 7 And late repentance, which shall long abide. 8 My eyes no more on vanity shall feed, 9 But, sealed up with death, shall have their deadly meed."
deadly > [of death] meed > reward
107.24
Then downe againe she fell vnto the ground;
2 But he her quickly reared vp againe:
Thrise did she sinke adowne in deadly swownd,
4 And thrise he her reviu'd with busie paine:
At last when life recouer'd had the raine,
6 And ouer-wrestled his strong enemie,
With foltring tong, and trembling euery vaine,
8 Tell on (quoth she) the wofull Tragedie,
The which these reliques sad present vnto mine eie.
1 Then down again she fell to the ground; 2 But he her quickly reared up again: 3 Thrice did she sink adown in deadly swoon,
adown > down
4 And thrice he her revived with busy pain:
busy > careful; solicitous pain > effort, labour
5 At last, when life recovered had the reign,
reign > reign; or, perhaps: rein (cf. 304.35:5)
6 And over-wrestled his strong enemy, 7 With faltering tongue, and trembling every vein, 8 "Tell on," quoth she, "the woeful tragedy, 9 Which these relics sad present to my eye.
these relics > [the arms and armour of the Redcross Knight]
107.25
Tempestuous fortune hath spent all her spight,
2 And thrilling sorrow throwne his vtmost dart;
Thy sad tongue cannot tell more heauy plight,
4 Then that I feele, and harbour in mine hart:
Who hath endur'd the whole, can beare each part.
6 If death it be, it is not the first wound,
That launched hath my brest with bleeding smart.
8 Begin, and end the bitter balefull stound;
If lesse, then that I +feare+ more fauour I haue found.
9 feare > feare, 1590, 1609
1 "Tempestuous Fortune has spent all her spite, 2 And thrilling Sorrow thrown his utmost dart;
thrilling > piercing
3 Your sad tongue cannot tell more heavy plight, 4 Than that I feel, and harbour in my heart:
that > [that which]
5 Who has endured the whole, can bear each part. 6 If death it be, it is not the first wound, 7 That lanced has my breast with bleeding smart.
smart > pain, acute pain; grief, sorrow
8 Begin, and end the bitter baleful stound;
stound > {Time of trial or pain (chiefly in northern dialect)}
9 If less than that I fear, more favour I have found."
that > [that which]
107.26
Then gan the Dwarfe the whole discourse declare,
2 The subtill traines of Archimago old;
The wanton loues of false Fidessa faire,
4 Bought with the bloud of vanquisht Paynim bold:
The wretched payre transform'd to treen mould;
6 The house of Pride, and perils round about;
The combat, which he with Sansioy did hould;
8 The lucklesse conflict with the Gyant stout,
Wherein captiu'd, of life or death he stood in doubt.
1 Then gan the dwarf the whole discourse declare:
gan > did
2 The subtle trains of Archimago old;
trains > wiles, deceits, snares