3 The wanton loves of false Fidessa fair, 4 Bought with the blood of vanquished paynim bold;
paynim > pagan, heathen [Sansfoy]
5 The wretched pair transformed to treen mould;
treen mould > [the shape or form of trees]
6 The House of Pride, and perils round about; 7 The combat which he with Sansjoy did hold; 8 The luckless conflict with the giant stout,
stout > proud, haughty, arrogant; powerful
9 Wherein captived, of life or death he stood in doubt.
captived > taken captive doubt > doubt; fear
107.27
She heard with patience all vnto the end,
2 And stroue to maister sorrowfull assay,
Which greater grew, the more she did contend,
4 And almost rent her tender hart in tway;
And loue fresh coles vnto her fire did lay:
6 For greater loue, the greater is the losse.
Was neuer Ladie loued dearer day,
8 Then she did loue the knight of the Redcrosse;
For whose deare sake so many troubles her did tosse.
1 She heard with patience all to the end, 2 And strove to master sorrowful assay,
assay > trial by affliction
3 Which greater grew, the more she did contend, 4 And almost rent her tender heart in twain;
rent > tore twain > two
5 And love fresh coals unto her fire did lay:
unto > [upon]
6 For greater love, the greater is the loss.
greater > [the greater the]
7 Was never lady loved dearer day,
loved dearer day > [who loved life more dearly]
8 Than she did love the Knight of the Redcross; 9 For whose dear sake so many troubles her did toss.
107.28
At last when feruent sorrow slaked was,
2 She vp arose, resoluing him to find
A liue or dead: and forward forth doth pas,
4 All as the Dwarfe the way to her assynd:
And euermore in constant carefull mind
6 She fed her wound with fresh renewed bale;
Long tost with stormes, and bet with bitter wind,
8 High ouer hils, and low adowne the dale,
She wandred many a wood, and measurd many a vale.
1 At last, when fervent sorrow slaked was, 2 She up arose, resolving him to find 3 Alive or dead: and forward forth does pass, 4 All as the dwarf the way to her assigned:
assigned > pointed out
5 And evermore, in constant careful mind,
careful > {Sorrowful, full of cares}
6 She fed her wound with fresh renewed bale;
bale > torment, woe
7 Long tossed with storms, and beaten with bitter wind, 8 High over hills, and low adown the dale,
adown > down
9 She wandered many a wood, and measured many a vale.
measured > traversed
107.29
At last she chaunced by good hap to meet
2 A goodly knight, faire marching by the way
Together with his Squire, arayed meet:
4 His glitterand armour shined farre away,
Like glauncing light of Ph{oe}bus brightest ray;
6 From top to toe no place appeared bare,
That deadly dint of steele endanger may:
8 Athwart his brest a bauldrick braue he ware,
That shynd, like twinkling stars, with stons most pretious rare.
1 At last she chanced by good hap to meet
hap > fortune
2 A goodly knight, fair marching by the way
goodly > {Well-favoured, of good appearance}
3 Together with his squire, arrayed meet:
squire > attendant meet > suitably
4 His glittering armour shone far away, 5 Like glancing light of Phoebus' brightest ray; 6 From top to toe no place appeared bare, 7 That deadly dint of steel endanger may:
dint > blow, stroke
8 Athwart his breast a baldric brave he wore,
baldric > {Belt worn pendent from the shoulder, often to support a sword} brave > splendid
9 That shone, like twinkling stars, with stones most precious rare.
precious > [precious and]
107.30
And in the midst thereof one pretious stone
2 Of wondrous worth, and eke of wondrous mights,
Shapt like a Ladies head, exceeding shone,
4 Like Hesperus emongst the lesser lights,
And stroue for to amaze the weaker sights;
6 Thereby his mortall blade full comely hong
In yuory sheath, ycaru'd with curious slights;
8 Whose hilts were burnisht gold, and handle strong
Of mother pearle, and buckled with a golden tong.
1 And in the midst thereof one precious stone 2 Of wondrous worth, and eke of wondrous mights,
eke > also mights > virtue, efficacy, powers
3 Shaped like a lady's head, exceeding shone,
lady > (Presumably the Faery Queen. In the chronicle of Geoffrey of Monmouth (Historia Regum Britanniae 9.4), Arthur's shield bore an image of the Virgin Mary)
4 Like Hesperus amongst the lesser lights,
Hesperus > (The "Evening Star", i.e. the planet Venus)
5 And strove to amaze the weaker sights;
amaze > overwhelm
6 Thereby his mortal blade full comely hung
mortal > lethal full > very, exceedingly
7 In ivory sheath, carved with curious sleights;
sleights > designs, patterns (SUS)
8 Whose hilts were burnished gold, and handle strong
hilts were > [hilt was: the plural form, which is obsolete, is apparently used here catachr. to denote the guard, "that part of the hilt which protects the hand" (OED)]
9 Of mother pearl, and buckled with a golden tongue.
mother pearl > mother-of-pearl tongue > pin (of buckle)
107.31
His haughtie helmet, horrid all with gold,
2 Both glorious brightnesse, and great terrour bred;
For all the crest a Dragon did enfold
4 With greedie pawes, and ouer all did spred
His golden wings: his dreadfull hideous hed
6 Close couched on the beuer, seem'd to throw
From flaming mouth bright sparkles fierie red,
8 That suddeine horrour to faint harts did show;
And scaly tayle was stretcht adowne his backe full low.
1 His haughty helmet, horrid all with gold,
haughty > high, imposing horrid > bristling, rough
2 Both glorious brightness, and great terror bred;
bred > engendered
3 For all the crest a dragon did enfold
dragon > (Geoffrey of Monmouth (HRB 9.4) says a dragon was engraved on Arthur's helmet; Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, also wore such a device, and from it derived his name: the Brythonic "pen" = "head")
4 With greedy paws, and over all did spread
greedy > eager; greedy
5 His golden wings: his dreadful hideous head, 6 Close couched on the beaver, seemed to throw
couched > {Lying down, with head raised: a term in heraldry} beaver > visor (strictly, the lower part of face-guard of helmet)
7 From flaming mouth bright sparkles fiery red, 8 That sudden horror to faint hearts did show; 9 And scaly tail was stretched down his back full low.
full > exceedingly, very
107.32
Vpon the top of all his loftie crest,
2 A bunch of haires discolourd diuersly,
With sprincled pearle, and gold fully richly drest,
4 Did shake, and seem'd to daunce for iollity,
Like to an Almond tree ymounted hye
6 On top of greene +Selinis+ all alone,
With blossomes braue bedecked daintily;
8 +Whose+ tender locks do tremble euery one
At euery little breath, that vnder heauen is blowne.
6 Selinis > Selinis 1590, 1609 8 Whose > Her 1590
1 Upon the top of all his lofty crest
crest > {Apex of the helmet}
2 A bunch of hairs discoloured diversely
hairs > plumes, perhaps horsehair plumes discoloured diversely > [rendered (dyed) in various colours]
3 (With sprinkled pearl and gold fully richly dressed), 4 Did shake, and seemed to dance for jollity,
jollity > magnificence
5 Like an almond tree mounted high 6 On top of green Selinus all alone,
Selinus > (A city built on a hill in south-western Sicily. Taken by the Carthaginians in 409, when the greater portion was destroyed, it is now called Selinoto, the "town of palms". Virgil (Aen. 3.705) mentions "Selinus of the Palms". It was a Roman custom to give the victorious gladiator a branch of the palm-tree)
7 With blossoms brave bedecked daintily;
brave > splendid
8 Whose tender locks do tremble every one 9 At every little breath that under heaven is blown.
107.33
His warlike shield all closely couer'd was,
2 Ne might of mortall eye be euer seene;
Not made of steele, nor of enduring bras,
4 Such earthly mettals soone consumed bene:
But all of Diamond perfect pure and cleene
6 It framed was, one massie entire mould,
Hewen out of Adamant rocke with engines keene,
8 That point of speare it neuer percen could,
Ne dint of direfull sword diuide the substance would.
1 His warlike shield all closely covered was, 2 Nor might of mortal eye be ever seen;
Nor might of mortal eye be ever seen > [No mortal eye might ever look upon it]
3 Not made of steel, nor of enduring brass 4 (Such earthly metals soon consumed been):
been > [would have been]
5 But all of diamond perfect pure and clean
clean > unpatterned, unadorned
6 It framed was, one massy entire mould,
framed > fashioned, made massy > solid, weighty entire > [in one piece] mould > shape
7 Hewn out of adamant rock with engines keen,
adamant rock > diamond engines > tools, machines keen > sharp
8 That point of spear it never pierce could,
That > [So that]
9 Nor dint of direful sword divide the substance would.
dint > blow, impact direful > dreadful, terrible
107.34
The same to wight he neuer wont disclose,
2 But when as monsters huge he would dismay,
Or daunt vnequall armies of his foes,
4 Or when the flying heauens he would affray;
For so exceeding shone his glistring ray,
6 That Ph{oe}bus golden face it did attaint,
As when a cloud his beames doth ouer-lay;
8 And siluer Cynthia wexed pale and faint,
As when her face is staynd with magicke arts constraint.
1 The same to wight he never wont disclose,
wight > being, person; hence: anyone wont disclose > was accustomed to reveal
2 But when monsters huge he would dismay,
But > Except dismay > dismay; defeat, overcome
3 Or daunt unequal armies of his foes, 4 Or when the flying heavens he would affray;
affray > terrify (cf. the similar passage describing the powers of Merlin himself at 303.12)
5 For so exceeding shone his glistering ray, 6 That Phoebus' golden face it did attaint,
attaint > dishonour; sully; hence: obscure
7 As when a cloud his beams does overlay; 8 And silver Cynthia waxed pale and faint,
waxed > grew, became
9 As when her face is stained with magic arts' constraint.
constraint > affliction, oppression (cf. 706.16, Met. 7.207-8, PL 2.665)
107.35
No magicke arts hereof had any might,
2 Nor bloudie wordes of bold Enchaunters call,
But all that was not such, as seemd in sight,
4 Before that shield did fade, and suddeine fall:
And when him list the raskall routes appall,
6 Men into stones therewith he could transmew,
And stones to dust, and dust to nought at all;
8 And when him list the prouder lookes subdew,
He would them gazing blind, or turne to other hew.
1 No magic arts hereof had any might,
hereof > [respecting the shield]
2 Nor bloody words of bold enchanter's call; 3 But all that was not such as seemed in sight 4 Before that shield did fade, and sudden fall: 5 And when him list the rascal routs appal,
list > chose, decided, pleased (to …) rascal routs > rabble
6 Men into stones therewith he could transmute,
therewith > with that
7 And stones to dust, and dust to naught at all; 8 And, when him list the prouder looks subdue,
prouder looks > [looks of the too-proud]
9 He would them gazing blind, or turn to other hue.
hue > appearance, form
107.36
Ne let it seeme, that credence this exceedes,
2 For he that made the same, was knowne right well
To haue done much more admirable deedes.
4 It Merlin was, which whylome did excell
All liuing wightes in might of magicke spell:
6 Both shield, and sword, and armour all he wrought
For this young Prince, when first to armes he fell;
8 But when he dyde, the Faerie Queene it brought
To Faerie lond, where yet it may be seene, if sought.
1 Nor let it seem that credence this exceeds, 2 For he that made the same was known right well
right > very
3 To have done much more admirable deeds.
admirable > wonderful
4 It Merlin was, who whilom did excel
Merlin > (The great soothsayer and magician of the Arthurian cycle) whilom > of old
5 All living wights in might of magic spell:
wights > men, people
6 Both shield and sword, and armour all he wrought 7 For this young prince, when first to arms he fell;
fell > came [came to arms as a duty or as his destiny]
8 But, when he died, the Faery Queen it brought
it > [Arthur's arms and armour; (metaphorically) his virtue]
9 To Faery Land, where yet it may be seen, if sought.
107.37
A gentle youth, his dearely loued Squire
2 His speare of heben wood behind him bare,
Whose harmefull head, thrice heated in the fire,
4 Had riuen many a brest with pikehead square;
A goodly person, and could menage +faire,+
6 His stubborne steed with curbed canon bit,
Who vnder him did +trample+ as the aire,
8 And chauft, that any on his backe should sit;
The yron rowels into frothy fome he bit.
5 faire, > faire 1609 7 trample > amble 1590
1 A gentle youth, his dearly loved squire,
gentle > noble squire > attendant (this is Timias: he is not named till 301.18:9)
2 His spear of ebon wood behind him bore,
ebon > {Ebony, made of ebony, a tree of the family Ebenaceae, esp. Diospyros ebenus, producing hard black wood}
3 Whose harmful head, thrice heated in the fire, 4 Had rived many a breast with pikehead square;
rived > split pikehead > [the point of the spear] square > [Perhaps meaning square in cross-section; also: direct, straight, just, honourable; and adv. senses]
5 A goodly person, and could manege fair
goodly > {Well-favoured, of good appearance} manege > manage, control (a term in horsemanship)
6 His stubborn steed with curbed canon bit,
curbed > {Having a chain or strap passing under the lower jaw, fastened to the upper ends of the branches of the bit: used for controlling an unruly horse} canon bit > {A mild, uncruel bit}
7 Who under him did trample as the air, 8 And chafed that any on his back should sit; 9 The iron rowels into frothy foam he bit.
rowels > {Knobs on the bit}
107.38
When as this knight nigh to the Ladie drew,
2 With louely court he gan her entertaine;
But when he heard her answeres loth, he knew
4 Some secret sorrow did her heart distraine:
Which to allay, and calme her storming paine,
6 Faire feeling words he wisely gan display,
And for her humour fitting purpose faine,
8 To tempt the cause it selfe for to bewray;
Wherewith +emmou'd+, these bleeding words she gan to say.
9 emmou'd > enmoud 1590
1 When this knight nigh to the lady drew, 2 With lovely court he gan her entertain;
lovely > affectionate, well intentioned gan > did; began to entertain > encounter; receive as a guest, hence: greet
3 But, when he heard her answers loath, he knew 4 Some secret sorrow did her heart distrain:
distrain > afflict, rend
5 Which to allay, and calm her storming pain, 6 Fair feeling words he wisely gan display,
gan > did display > expound
7 And for her humour fitting purpose feign,
humour > frame of mind purpose > conversation, discourse
8 To tempt the cause itself to bewray;
bewray > betray, reveal
9 Wherewith enmoved, these bleeding words she began to say:
Wherewith enmoved > Moved with which
107.39
What worlds delight, or ioy of liuing speach
2 Can heart, so plung'd in sea of sorrowes deepe,
And heaped with so huge misfortunes, reach?
4 The carefull cold beginneth for to creepe,
And in my heart his yron arrow steepe,
6 Soone as I thinke vpon my bitter bale:
Such helplesse harmes yts better hidden keepe,
8 Then rip vp griefe, where it may not auaile,
My last left comfort is, my woes to weepe and waile.
1 "What world's delight, or joy of living speech, 2 Can heart, so plunged in sea of sorrows deep, 3 And heaped with so huge misfortunes, reach?
so > such
4 The careful cold begins to creep,
careful > sorrowful
5 And in my heart his iron arrow steep, 6 Soon as I think upon my bitter bale:
bale > woe
7 Such helpless harms it's better hidden keep,
helpless > {Beyond remedy} hidden keep > [to keep hidden]
8 Than rip up grief, where it may not avail, 9 My last left comfort is my woes to weep and wail."
left > remaining weep and wail > {Trans.: weep over and bewail}
107.40
Ah Ladie deare, quoth then the gentle knight,
2 Well may I weene, your griefe is wondrous great;
For wondrous great griefe groneth in my spright,
4 Whiles thus I heare you of your sorrowes treat.
But wofull Ladie let me you intrete,
6 For to vnfold the anguish of your hart:
Mishaps are maistred by aduice discrete,
8 And counsell mittigates the greatest smart;
Found neuer helpe, who neuer would his hurts impart.
1 "Ah lady dear," quoth then the gentle knight,
gentle > noble
2 "Well may I ween, your grief is wondrous great;
ween > imagine
3 For wondrous great grief groans in my spirit, 4 While thus I hear you of your sorrows treat.
treat > discourse
5 But, woeful lady, let me you entreat 6 To unfold the anguish of your heart: 7 Mishaps are mastered by advice discreet,
discreet > judicious
8 And counsel mitigates the greatest smart;
smart > anguish; pain
9 Found never help, who never would his hurts impart."
107.41
O but (quoth she) great griefe will not be tould,
2 And can more easily be thought, then said.
Right so; (quoth he) but he, that neuer would,
4 Could neuer: will to might giues greatest aid.
But griefe (quoth she) does greater grow displaid,
6 If then it find not helpe, and breedes despaire.
Despaire breedes not (quoth he) where faith is staid.
8 No faith so fast (quoth she) but flesh does paire.
Flesh may empaire (quoth he) but reason can repaire.
1 "O but," quoth she, "great grief will not be told, 2 And can more easily be thought than said." 3 "Right so," quoth he, "but he that never would 4 Could never: will to might gives greatest aid." 5 "But grief," quoth she, "does greater grow displayed,
displayed > [when] exhibited, made known (literally: unfolded)
6 If then it finds not help, and breeds despair." 7 "Despair breeds not," quoth he, "where faith is staid."
staid > constant
8 "No faith so fast," quoth she, "but flesh does impair."
fast > firm, steadfast impair > weaken
9 "Flesh may impair," quoth he, "but reason can repair."
107.42
His goodly reason, and well guided speach
2 So deepe did settle in her gratious thought,
That her perswaded to disclose the breach,
4 Which loue and fortune in her heart had wrought,
And said; +faire+ Sir, I hope good hap hath brought
6 You to inquire the secrets of my griefe,
Or that your wisedome will direct my thought,
8 Or that your prowesse can me yield reliefe:
Then heare the storie sad, which I shall tell you briefe.
5 faire > Faire 1609
1 His goodly reason, and well guided speech, 2 So deep did settle in her gracious thought, 3 That her persuaded to disclose the breach
her > [they her]
4 Which love and fortune in her heart had wrought, 5 And said: "Fair sir, I hope good hap has brought
hap > fortune
6 You to inquire the secrets of my grief, 7 Or that your wisdom will direct my thought,
Or > Either
8 Or that your prowess can me yield relief:
prowess > valour
9 Then hear the story sad, which I shall tell you brief.
107.43
The forlorne Maiden, whom your eyes haue seene
2 The laughing stocke of fortunes mockeries,
Am th'only daughter of a King and Queene,
4 Whose parents deare, whilest equall destinies
Did runne about, and their felicities
6 The fauourable heauens did not enuy,
Did spread their rule through all the territories,
8 Which Phison and Euphrates floweth by,
And +Gehons+ golden waues doe wash continually.
9 Gehons > Gebons 1596, 1609
1 "The forlorn maiden, whom your eyes have seen 2 The laughing-stock of fortune's mockeries, 3 Am the only daughter of a king and queen,
king and queen > [Adam and Eve; see 112.26]
4 Whose parents dear (whilst equal destinies
equal > impartial
5 Did run about, and their felicities
run about > revolve; run their course
6 The favourable heavens did not envy),
envy > begrudge
7 Did spread their rule through all the territories
the territories > [the Garden of Eden, Paradise; or: the entire known world]
8 Which Pishon and Euphrates flow by,
Pishon > (The first of the four rivers flowing out of Eden (Gen.
2.11))
Euphrates > (The fourth of the four rivers flowing out of Eden
(Gen. 2.14))
9 And Gihon's golden waves do wash continually,
Gihon > (The second of the four rivers flowing out of Eden (Gen. 2.13))
107.44
Till that their cruell cursed enemy,
2 An huge great Dragon horrible in sight,
Bred in the loathly lakes of Tartary,
4 With murdrous rauine, and deuouring might
Their kingdome spoild, and countrey wasted quight:
6 Themselues, for feare into his iawes to fall,
He forst to castle strong to take their flight,
8 Where fast embard in mightie brasen wall,
He has them now foure yeres besiegd to make them thrall.
1 "Till their cruel cursed enemy 2 (A huge great dragon, horrible in sight,
dragon > [Satan]
3 Bred in the loathly lakes of Tartarus)
Tartarus > (The underworld of Roman mythology; hell)
4 With murderous ravin, and devouring might,
ravin > rapine, pillage
5 Their kingdom spoiled, and country wasted quite: 6 Themselves, for fear into his jaws to fall,
for fear into his jaws to fall > [for fear of falling into his jaws]
7 He forced to castle strong to take their flight, 8 Where, fast embarred in mighty brazen wall,
fast > firmly
9 He has them now four years besieged to make them thrall.
four years > (Rev. 12.6 states that the nourishment in heaven of "the woman clothed with the sun" lasted 1,260 days; at 12.14, having been cast down again, she flees from Satan to the wilderness and spends there "a time, and times, and half a time", possibly a reference to three and a half years; Hamilton (1980) suggests that "four years" might also represent 4,000 years, the period, in round terms, which, according to the Geneva Bible, elapsed between the Creation and the birth of Christ) thrall > captive, enslaved
107.45
Full many knights aduenturous and stout
2 Haue enterprizd that Monster to subdew;
From euery coast that heauen walks about,
4 Haue thither come the noble Martiall crew,
That famous hard atchieuements still pursew,
6 Yet neuer any could that girlond win,
But all still shronke, and still he greater grew:
8 All they for want of faith, or guilt of sin,
The pitteous pray of his fierce crueltie haue bin.
1 "Full many knights, adventurous and stout,
Full > Very, exceedingly stout > valiant, fierce
2 Have enterprised that monster to subdue;
enterprised > undertaken
3 From every coast that heaven walks about,
coast > region walks about > walks around, revolves about
4 Have thither come the noble martial crew, 5 That famous hard achievements still pursue, 6 Yet never any could that garland win, 7 But all still shrank, and still he greater grew:
shrank > [shrank back]
8 All they, for want of faith, or guilt of sin, 9 The piteous prey of his fierce cruelty have been.
107.46
At last yledd with farre reported praise,
2 Which flying fame throughout the world had spred,
Of doughtie knights, whom Faery land did raise,
4 That noble order hight of Maidenhed,
Forthwith to court of Gloriane I sped,
6 Of Gloriane great Queene of glory bright,
Whose kingdomes seat Cleopolis is red,
8 There to obtaine some such redoubted knight,
That Parents deare from tyrants powre deliuer might.
1 "At last, led with far reported praise, 2 Which flying fame throughout the world had spread, 3 Of doughty knights, whom Faery Land did raise 4 (That noble order, hight of Maidenhead),
hight > called, named Maidenhead > (A reference to the Order of the Garter, the highest chivalric order of English knighthood, instituted c. 1344; the sovereign (i.e. Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen) is head of the order. Its emblems include the Red Cross and St George slaying the dragon)
5 Forthwith to court of Gloriana I sped, 6 Of Gloriana, great queen of glory bright,
bright > bright; beautiful (referring both to the queen and her glory)
7 Whose kingdom's seat Cleopolis is read,
seat > throne Cleopolis > "City of Glorious Fame" (Greek; allegorically: London) read > named
8 There to obtain some such redoubted knight,
redoubted > doughty, valiant, redoubtable
9 That parents dear from tyrant's power deliver might.
107.47
It was my chance (my chance was faire and good)
2 There for to find a fresh vnproued knight,
Whose manly hands imbrew'd in guiltie blood
4 Had neuer bene, ne euer by his might
Had throwne to ground the vnregarded right:
6 Yet of his prowesse proofe he since hath made
(I witnesse am) in many a cruell fight;
8 The groning ghosts of many one dismaide
Haue felt the bitter dint of his auenging blade.
1 "It was my chance (my chance was fair and good)
chance > lot, luck
2 There to find a fresh unproved knight,
unproved > [in battle]
3 Whose manly hands imbrued in guilty blood
imbrued > stained, steeped
4 Had never been, nor ever by his might 5 Had thrown to ground the unregarded right: 6 Yet of his prowess proof he since has made
prowess > valour
7 (I witness am) in many a cruel fight; 8 The groaning ghosts of many one dismayed
ghosts > souls, spirits one > [a one] dismayed > defeated; dismayed
9 Have felt the bitter dint of his avenging blade.
bitter > cruel, severe dint > impact, stroke
107.48
And ye the forlorne reliques of his powre,
2 His byting sword, and his deuouring speare,
Which haue endured many a dreadfull stowre,
4 Can speake his prowesse, that did earst you beare,
And well could rule: now he hath left you heare,
6 To be the record of his ruefull losse,
And of my dolefull disauenturous deare:
8 O heauie record of the good Redcrosse,
Where haue +you+ left your Lord, that could so well you tosse?
9 you > yee 1590
1 "And you, the forlorn relics of his power, 2 His biting sword, and his devouring spear, 3 Which have endured many a dreadful stour,
stour > conflict
4 Can speak his prowess, that did erst you bear,
speak > [speak of] prowess > valour erst > once, formerly; not long ago
5 And well could rule: now he has left you here, 6 To be the record of his rueful loss, 7 And of my doleful disadventurous dear:
disadventurous > unfortunate dear > beloved (some editors gloss this as "loss, injury")
8 O heavy record of the good Redcross, 9 Where have you left your lord, that could so well you toss?
107.49
Well hoped I, and faire beginnings had,
2 That he my captiue +langour+ should redeeme,
Till all vnweeting, an Enchaunter bad
4 His sence abusd, and made him to misdeeme
My loyalty, not such as it did seeme;
6 That rather death desire, then such despight.
Be iudge ye heauens, that all things right esteeme,
8 How I him lou'd, and loue with all my might,
So thought I eke of him, and thinke I thought aright.
2 langour > languor 1590
1 "Well hoped I, and fair beginnings had, 2 That he my captive languor should redeem,
captive languor > wretched plight; or: languishment in captivity
3 Till, all unweeting, an enchanter bad
unweeting > ignorant, not knowing; hence: unsuspecting
4 His sense abused, and made him to misdeem
abused > deceived misdeem > misjudge
5 My loyalty, not such as it did seem; 6 That rather death desire, than such despite.
That > [I would] despite > {The affliction of contemptuously being thought disloyal}
7 Be judge, you heavens, that all things right esteem, 8 How I him loved, and love with all my might, 9 So thought I eke of him, and think I thought aright.
eke > also
107.50
Thenceforth me desolate he quite forsooke,
2 To wander, where wilde fortune would me lead,
And other bywaies he himselfe betooke,
4 Where neuer foot of liuing wight did tread,
That brought not backe the balefull body dead;
6 In which him chaunced false Duessa meete,
Mine onely foe, mine onely deadly dread,
8 Who with her witchcraft and misseeming sweete,
Inueigled him to follow her desires vnmeete.
1 "Thenceforth me desolate he quite forsook, 2 To wander where wild fortune would me lead, 3 And other byways he himself betook,
betook > took; or: committed [himself to]
4 Where never foot of living wight did tread,
wight > person
5 That brought not back the baleful body dead;
baleful > deadly, miserable
6 In which him chanced false Duessa meet,
meet > [to meet]
7 My only foe, my only deadly dread, 8 Who, with her witchcraft and misseeming sweet,
misseeming sweet > sweet [but] deceptive appearance; or: deceiving sweetness
9 Inveigled him to follow her desires unmeet.
unmeet > improper
107.51
At last by subtill sleights she him betraid
2 Vnto his foe, a Gyant huge and tall,
Who him disarmed, dissolute, dismaid,
4 Vnwares surprised, and with mightie mall
The monster mercilesse him made to fall,
6 Whose fall did neuer foe before behold;
And now in darkesome dungeon, wretched thrall,
8 Remedilesse, for aie he doth him hold;
This is my cause of griefe, more great, then may be told.
1 "At last, by subtle sleights she him betrayed 2 To his foe, a giant huge and tall, 3 Who him (disarmed, dissolute, dismayed)
dissolute > enfeebled, debauched; off guard
4 Unwares surprised, and with mighty maul
Unwares > Unexpectedly, suddenly maul > club
5 The monster merciless him made to fall, 6 Whose fall did never foe before behold; 7 And now in darksome dungeon, wretched thrall,
thrall > captive
8 Remediless for ay he does him hold;
Remediless > Without hope of rescue ay > ever, always
9 This is my cause of grief, more great than may be told."
107.52
Ere she had ended all, she gan to faint:
2 But he her comforted and faire bespake,
Certes, Madame, ye haue great cause of plaint,
4 +That+ stoutest heart, I weene, could cause to quake.
But be of cheare, and comfort to you take:
6 For till I haue acquit your captiue knight,
Assure your selfe, I will you not forsake.
8 His chearefull words reuiu'd her chearelesse spright,
So forth they went, the Dwarfe them guiding euer right.
4 That > The conj. Morris
1 Ere she had ended all, she began to faint: 2 But he her comforted, and fair bespoke:
bespoke > addressed
3 "Certes, madam, you have great cause of plaint,
Certes > Assuredly plaint > lamentation; complaint
4 That stoutest heart, I ween, could cause to quake.
That > [The; That the; or, perhaps: That cause of plaint the] ween > think
5 But be of cheer, and comfort to you take: 6 For till I have acquitted your captive knight,
acquitted > delivered, freed
7 Assure yourself, I will you not forsake." 8 His cheerful words revived her cheerless spirit, 9 So forth they went, the dwarf them guiding ever right.
CANTO VIII
1 Faire virgin to redeeme her deare 2 brings Arthur to the fight: 3 Who slayes +the Gyant+, wounds the beast, 4 and strips Duessa quight.
3 the Gyant > that Gyaunt 1590 etc.: FE
Fair virgin, to redeem her dear,
2 brings Arthur to the fight:
Who slays the giant, wounds the beast,
4 and strips Duessa quite.
108.1
AY me, how many perils doe enfold
2 The righteous man, to make him daily fall?
Were not, that heauenly grace doth him vphold,
4 And stedfast truth acquite him out of all.
Her loue is firme, her care continuall,
6 So oft as he through his owne foolish pride,
Or weaknesse is to sinfull bands made thrall:
8 Else should this Redcrosse knight in bands haue dyde,
For whose deliuerance she this Prince doth thither guide.
1 Ay me, how many perils do enfold
Ay me > Ah me! Alas! (chiefly in northern dialect)
2 The righteous man, to make him daily fall? 3 Were not that heavenly grace does him uphold,
not > [it not]
4 And steadfast Truth acquit him out of all.
acquit > deliver
5 Her love is firm, her care continual, 6 So oft as he, through his own foolish pride, 7 Or weakness, is to sinful bonds made thrall:
thrall > slave
8 Else should this Redcross Knight in bonds have died, 9 For whose deliverance she this prince does thither guide.
she > [Una]
108.2
They sadly traueild thus, vntill they came
2 Nigh to a castle builded strong and hie:
Then cryde the Dwarfe, lo yonder is the same,
4 In which my Lord my liege doth lucklesse lie,
Thrall to that Gyants hatefull tyrannie:
6 Therefore, deare Sir, your mightie powres assay.
The noble knight alighted by and by
8 From loftie steede, and bad the Ladie stay,
To see what end of fight should him befall that day.
1 They sadly travelled thus, until they came 2 Nigh to a castle built strong and high: 3 Then cried the dwarf, "Lo yonder is the same 4 In which my lord, my liege, does luckless lie,
liege > {Lord to whom one owes feudal allegiance and service}
5 Thrall to that giant's hateful tyranny:
Thrall > Slave
6 Therefore, dear sir, your mighty powers assay."
assay > put to the proof, test
7 The noble knight alighted by and by
by and by > straight away
8 From lofty steed, and bade the lady stay, 9 To see what end of fight should him befall that day.
108.3
So with +the+ Squire, th'admirer of his might,
2 He marched forth towards that castle wall;
Whose gates he found fast shut, ne liuing wight
4 To ward the same, nor answere commers call.
Then tooke that Squire an horne of bugle small,
6 Which hong adowne his side in twisted gold,
And tassels gay. Wyde wonders ouer all
8 Of that same hornes great vertues weren told,
Which had approued bene in vses manifold.
1 the > his 1590
1 So with the squire, the admirer of his might, 2 He marched forth towards that castle wall, 3 Whose gates he found fast shut, no living wight
fast > firmly wight > being
4 To ward the same, nor answer comer's call.
ward > guard
5 Then took that squire a horn of bugle small,
bugle > wild ox
6 Which hung adown his side in twisted gold
adown > down
7 And tassels gay. Wide wonders over all
over all > everywhere
8 Of that same horn's great virtues were told,
virtues > powers
9 Which had approved been in uses manifold.
approved > proved, demonstrated practically
108.4
Was neuer wight, that heard that shrilling sound,
2 But trembling feare did feele in euery vaine;
Three miles it might be easie heard around,
4 And Ecchoes three answerd it selfe againe:
No false enchauntment, nor deceiptfull traine
6 Might once abide the terror of that blast,
But presently was voide and wholly vaine:
8 No gate so strong, no locke so firme and fast,
But with that percing noise flew open quite, or brast.
1 Was never wight, that heard that shrilling sound,
wight > [a] creature, being, person
2 But trembling fear did feel in every vein: 3 Three miles it might be easily heard around, 4 And echoes three answered itself again: 5 No false enchantment nor deceitful train
train > trick
6 Might once abide the terror of that blast, 7 But presently was void and wholly vain:
presently > instantly vain > useless; weak
8 No gate so strong, no lock so firm and fast,
fast > firm
9 But with that piercing noise flew open quite, or burst.
108.5
The same before the Geants gate he blew,
2 That all the castle quaked from the ground,
And euery dore of freewill open flew.
4 The Gyant selfe dismaied with that sownd,
Where he with his Duessa dalliance fownd,
6 In hast came rushing forth from inner bowre,
With staring countenance sterne, as one astownd,
8 And staggering steps, to weet, what suddein +stowre,+
Had wrought that horror strange, and dar'd his dreaded powre.
8 stowre, > stowre 1609
1 The same before the giant's gate he blew, 2 That all the castle quaked from the ground,
That > [So that]
3 And every door of freewill open flew.
of > [of its own]
4 The giant himself, dismayed with that sound
dismayed > dismayed (but also with a pun on "dis-made", here implying "unjoined", "unlinked") with > by
5 Where he with his Duessa dalliance found, 6 In haste came rushing forth from inner bower,
bower > room, chamber
7 With staring countenance stern, as one astounded,
stern > fierce, grim astounded > astounded, panic-stricken
8 And staggering steps, to weet what sudden stour
weet > find out stour > commotion
9 Had wrought that horror strange, and dared his dreaded power.
108.6
And after him the proud Duessa came,
2 High mounted on her manyheaded beast,
And euery head with fyrie tongue did flame,
4 And euery head was crowned on his creast,
And bloudie mouthed with late cruell feast.
6 That when the knight beheld, his mightie shild
Vpon his manly arme he soone addrest,
8 And at him fiercely flew, with courage fild,
And eger greedinesse through euery member thrild.
1 And after him the proud Duessa came, 2 High mounted on her many-headed beast, 3 And every head with fiery tongue did flame, 4 And every head was crowned on its crest,
crowned > (See Rev. 12.3)
5 And bloody-mouthed with late cruel feast. 6 That when the knight beheld, his mighty shield 7 Upon his manly arm he soon addressed,
soon > immediately addressed > put, fixed; hence: donned
8 And at him fiercely flew, with courage filled, 9 And eager greediness through every member thrilled.
greediness > eagerness, zeal member > limb
108.7
Therewith the Gyant buckled him to fight,
2 Inflam'd with scornefull wrath and high disdaine,
And lifting vp his dreadfull club on hight,
4 All arm'd with ragged snubbes and knottie graine,
Him thought at first encounter to haue slaine.
6 But wise and warie was that noble Pere,
And lightly leaping from so monstrous maine,
8 Did faire auoide the violence him nere;
It booted nought, to thinke, such thunderbolts to beare.
1 Therewith the giant buckled himself to fight,
Therewith > With that, thereupon buckled > prepared
2 Inflamed with scornful wrath and high disdain,
disdain > anger
3 And, lifting up his dreadful club on high 4 (All armed with ragged snubs and knotty grain),
snubs > snags; stubs (cf. 107.10:7)
5 Him thought at first encounter to have slain. 6 But wise and wary was that noble peer,
peer > {One equally matched with another; nobleman}
7 And, lightly leaping from so monstrous main,
lightly > lightly; quickly so > such main > force
8 Did fair avoid the violence him near; 9 It booted naught to think such thunderbolts to bear.
booted naught to think > [did not bear thinking about]
108.8
Ne shame he thought to shunne so hideous might:
2 The idle stroke, enforcing furious way,
Missing the marke of his misaymed sight
4 Did fall to ground, and with his heauie sway
So deepely dinted in the driuen clay,
6 That three yardes deepe a furrow vp did throw:
The sad earth wounded with so sore assay,
8 Did grone full grieuous vnderneath the blow,
And trembling with strange feare, did like an earthquake show.
1 No shame he thought to shun so hideous might:
thought > [thought it] so > such hideous > terrific; immense; odious
2 The idle stroke, enforcing furious way,
idle > futile
3 Missing the mark of his mis-aimed sight, 4 Did fall to ground and with his heavy sway
sway > swing, momentum of swing
5 So deeply dinted in the driven clay
dinted > impacted
6 That three yards deep a furrow up did throw: 7 The sad earth, wounded with so sore assay,
sad > steadfast; stiff, heavy so > such [a] assay > assault
8 Did groan full grievous underneath the blow,
full > very, exceedingly
9 And, trembling with strange fear, did like an earthquake show.
108.9
As when almightie Ioue in wrathfull mood,
2 To wreake the guilt of mortall sins is bent,
Hurles forth his thundring dart with deadly food,
4 Enrold in flames, and smouldring dreriment,
Through riuen cloudes and molten firmament;
6 The fierce threeforked engin making way,
Both loftie towres and highest trees hath rent,
8 And all that might his angrie passage stay,
And shooting in the earth, casts vp a mount of clay.
1 As when almighty Jove, in wrathful mood, 2 To wreak the guilt of mortal sins is bent,
wreak > avenge mortal > {Pertaining to mortals; also: deserving death}
3 Hurls forth his thundering dart with deadly feud,
feud > hatred
4 Enrolled in flames, and smouldering dreariment,
dreariment > gloom
5 Through riven clouds and molten firmament; 6 The fierce three-forked engine, making way,
engine > engine of destruction, missile
7 Both lofty towers and highest trees has rent,
rent > torn, split asunder
8 And all that might its angry passage stay;
stay > hinder
9 And, shooting in the earth, casts up a mount of clay.
mount > hill, hillock; mound
108.10
His boystrous club, so buried in the ground,
2 He could not rearen vp againe so light,
But that the knight him at +auantage+ found,
4 And whiles he stroue his combred clubbe to quight
Out of the earth, with blade all burning bright
6 He smote off his left arme, which like a blocke
Did fall to ground, depriu'd of natiue might;
8 Large streames of bloud out of the truncked stocke
Forth gushed, like fresh water streame from riuen rocke.
3 auantage > aduantage 1590
1 His boisterous club, so buried in the ground,
boisterous > cumbersome
2 He could not rear up again so lightly;
lightly > easily, quickly [as he had buried it]
3 But that the knight himself at advantage found,
But > [So]
4 And, while he strove his encumbered club to quit
quit > free
5 Out of the earth, with blade all burning bright 6 He smote off his left arm, which like a block 7 Did fall to ground, deprived of native might;
native > innate
8 Large streams of blood out of the trunked stock
trunked > truncated (Latin truncus: cf. 205.4:9)
9 Forth gushed, like freshwater stream from riven rock.
108.11
Dismaied with so desperate deadly wound,
2 And eke impatient of vnwonted paine,
He loudly brayd with beastly yelling sound,
4 That all the fields rebellowed againe;
As great a noyse, as when in Cymbrian plaine
6 An heard of Bulles, whom kindly rage doth sting,
Do for the milkie mothers want complaine,
8 And fill the fields with troublous bellowing,
The neighbour woods around with hollow +murmur ring+.
9 murmur ring > murmuring 1590 etc.: FE
1 Dismayed with so desperate deadly wound,
Dismayed with > Dismayed by; dis-made by (again the pun: cf. 108.5:4) so > such [a]
2 And eke impatient of unwonted pain,
eke impatient of unwonted pain > also unable to endure unaccustomed pain
3 He loudly brayed with beastly yelling sound,
brayed > cried out
4 That all the fields rebellowed again;
That > [So that] rebellowed > bellowed in reply; loudly re-echoed
5 As great a noise, as when in Cymbrian plain
Cymbrian > (Various explanations of this word have been put forward: (1) Cumbrian: Cumbria is a region in NW England which Spenser probably knew; (2) Cambrian, meaning Welsh; (3) Cimbrian, after the Cimbrian peninsula in modern Denmark, once noted for the ferocity of its inhabitants; (4) Crimean: relating to the Tauric Chersonese, once inhabited by the Cimmerii)
6 A herd of bulls, whom kindly rage does sting,
kindly rage > lust (kindly = natural; rage = violent passion)
7 Do for the milky mothers' want complain,
want > lack
8 And fill the fields with troublous bellowing; 9 The neighbour woods around with hollow murmur ring.
murmur > grumbling [sound]
108.12
That when his deare Duessa heard, and saw
2 The euill stownd, that daungerd her estate,
Vnto his aide she hastily did draw
4 Her dreadfull beast, who swolne with bloud of late
Came ramping forth with proud +presumpteous+ gate,
6 And threatned all his heads like flaming brands.
But him the Squire made quickly to retrate,
8 Encountring fierce with single sword in hand,
And twixt him and his Lord did like bulwarke stand.
5 presumpteous > presumptuous 1609
1 That when his dear Duessa heard, and saw 2 The evil stound that dangered her estate,
stound > {Time of peril or pain (chiefly in northern dialect)} dangered > endangered estate > prosperity, fortune; condition, rank, status
3 To his aid she hastily did draw 4 Her dreadful beast, who, swollen with blood of late, 5 Came ramping forth with proud presumptuous gait,
ramping > leaping
6 And threatened all his heads like flaming brands. 7 But him the squire made quickly to retrait,
retrait > retreat, retire
8 Encountering fiercely with single sword in hand, 9 And 'twixt him and his lord did like bulwark stand.
lord > [Arthur]
108.13
The proud Duessa full of wrathfull spight,
2 And fierce disdaine, to be affronted so,
Enforst her purple beast with all her might
4 That stop out of the way to ouerthroe,
Scorning the let of so vnequall foe:
6 But nathemore would that courageous swayne
To her yeeld passage, gainst his Lord to goe,
8 But with outrageous strokes did him restraine,
And with his bodie bard the way atwixt them twaine.
1 The proud Duessa, full of wrathful spite 2 And fierce disdain, to be affronted so,
disdain > indignation, anger affronted > defied; confronted
3 Enforced her purple beast with all her might
Enforced > Encouraged; constrained
4 That stop out of the way to overthrow,
stop > obstacle [the squire]
5 Scorning the let of so unequal foe:
let > hindrance so > such [an]
6 But nathemore would that courageous swain