8 Hard help at need. So dear you babe I bought,
need > [a time of need] dear > dearly, grievously
9 Yet naught too dear I deemed, while so my dear I sought.
naught > not at all so my dear > [thus Sir Mordant]
201.54
Him so I sought, and so at last I found,
2 Where him that witch had thralled to her will,
In chaines of lust and lewd desires ybound,
4 And so transformed from his former skill,
That me he knew not, neither his owne ill;
6 Till through wise handling and faire gouernance,
I him recured to a better will,
8 Purged from drugs of foule intemperance:
Then meanes I gan deuise for his deliuerance.
1 "Him so I sought, and so at last I found,
so > thus
2 Where him that witch had thralled to her will,
thralled > enslaved, made a captive
3 In chains of lust and lewd desires bound, 4 And so transformed from his former skill
skill > reason, power of discrimination; knowledge
5 That me he knew not, neither his own ill;
neither > [neither did he know] ill > distress; wickedness
6 Till, through wise handling and fair governance,
handling > treatment governance > governing, management; self-control
7 I him recured to a better will,
recured > restored
8 Purged from drugs of foul intemperance: 9 Then means I gan devise for his deliverance.
gan > did; began to
201.55
Which when the vile Enchaunteresse perceiu'd,
2 How that my Lord from her I would repriue,
With cup thus charmd, him parting she deceiu'd;
4 Sad verse, giue death to him that death does giue,
And losse of loue, to her that loues to liue,
6 So soone as Bacchus with the Nymphe does +lincke,+
So parted we and on our iourney driue,
8 Till comming to this well, he stoupt to drincke:
The charme fulfild, dead suddenly he downe did sincke.
6 lincke, > lincke: 1609
1 "Which when the vile enchantress perceived, 2 How my lord from her I would reprieve,
reprieve > reprieve; rescue
3 With cup thus charmed, him parting she deceived:
charmed > enchanted parting > [in parting, while parting]
4 `Sad verse, give death to him that death does give,
Sad > Heavy; ill-omened verse > charm, spell (cf. 312.36:4) death does give > (See note on "Mordant" at 201.0:3)
5 And loss of love, to her that loves to live,
loves to live > (See note on "Amavia" at 201.0:3)
6 So soon as Bacchus with the nymph does link';
Bacchus > (The god of wine; wine itself) 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 figuratively referred to here is a naiad, a nymph of fresh water; hence, fresh water itself)
7 So parted we and on our journey drove, 8 Till, coming to this well, he stooped to drink: 9 The charm fulfilled, dead suddenly he down did sink.
201.56
Which when I wretch, Not one word more she sayd
2 But breaking +off+ the end for want of breath,
And slyding soft, as downe to sleepe her layd,
4 And ended all her woe in quiet death.
That seeing good Sir Guyon, could vneath
6 From teares abstaine, for griefe his hart did grate,
And from so heauie sight his head did wreath,
8 Accusing fortune, and too cruell fate,
Which plunged had faire Ladie in so wretched state.
2 off > of, 1590; off, 1596
1 "Which when I wretch …" Not one word more she said, 2 But, breaking off the end for want of breath, 3 And sliding soft, as down to sleep her laid, 4 And ended all her woe in quiet death. 5 That seeing, good Sir Guyon could uneath
uneath > scarcely
6 From tears abstain: for grief his heart did grate,
grate > grind (cf. 101.19:6)
7 And from so heavy sight his head did wreathe,
so heavy > [such a sad] wreathe > turn
8 Accusing Fortune, and too cruel Fate, 9 Which plunged had fair lady in so wretched state.
so > [such a]
201.57
Then turning to +his+ Palmer said, Old syre
2 Behold the image of mortalitie,
And feeble nature cloth'd with fleshly tyre,
4 When raging passion with fierce tyrannie
Robs reason of her due regalitie,
6 And makes it seruant to her basest part:
The strong it weakens with infirmitie,
8 And with bold furie armes the weakest hart; [smart.
The strong through pleasure soonest falles, the weake through
1 his > the 1609
1 Then, turning to his palmer, said, "Old sire,
sire > {Father; form of address to a holy or elderly man}
2 Behold the image of mortality,
image > emblem; personification
3 And feeble nature clothed with fleshly tire,
tire > dress, attire
4 When raging passion with fierce tyranny 5 Robs reason of its due regality, 6 And makes it servant to its basest part: 7 The strong it weakens with infirmity, 8 And with bold fury arms the weakest heart; 9 The strong through pleasure soonest falls, the weak through smart."
smart > pain; acute pain
201.58
But temperance (said he) with golden squire
2 Betwixt them both can measure out a meane,
Neither to melt in pleasures whot desire,
4 Nor +fry+ in hartlesse griefe and dolefull teene.
Thrise happie man, who fares them both atweene:
6 But sith this wretched woman ouercome
Of anguish, rather then of crime hath beene,
8 Reserue her cause to her eternall doome,
And in the meane vouchsafe her honorable toombe.
4 fry > frye 1590; fryze _sugg. Smith, from Church's conj. of frieze or frize (i.e. "freeze") cf. 201.42:3, 610.33:9; 201.46:6_
1 "But temperance," said he, "with golden square
square > {Carpenter's square, for measuring right-angles, a traditional symbol of temperance; also: rule, precept, model, pattern}
2 Betwixt them both can measure out a mean, 3 Neither to melt in pleasure's hot desire,
pleasure > (Or: Pleasure; see note at 201.0:4)
4 Nor freeze in heartless grief and doleful teen.
freeze > (See Textual Appendix) heartless > [lacking courage] teen > affliction, woe
5 Thrice happy man, who fares them both atween:
atween > between
6 But sith this wretched woman overcome
sith > since
7 Of anguish, rather than of crime has been,
Of > By of crime > by sin
8 Reserve her cause to her eternal doom,
cause > case, suit doom > heavenly judgement
9 And in the mean vouchsafe her honourable tomb."
mean > [mean time] honourable > [an honourable]
201.59
Palmer (quoth he) death is an +equall+ doome
2 To good and bad, the common Inne of rest;
But after death the tryall is to come,
4 When best shall be to them, that liued best:
But both alike, when death hath both supprest,
6 Religious reuerence doth buriall teene,
Which who so wants, wants so much of his rest:
8 For all so great shame after death I weene,
As selfe to dyen bad, vnburied bad to beene.
1 equall > euill 1596, 1609
1 "Palmer," quoth he, "death is an equal doom 2 To good and bad, the common inn of rest; 3 But after death the trial is to come, 4 When best shall be to them that lived best: 5 But both alike, when death has both suppressed,
both > [?to both: see next line] suppressed > pressed down; hence: laid low
6 Religious reverence does burial teem,
does burial > [burial does] teem > produce, bear (as offspring); hence: ?yield (this assumes that the spelling has been forced by the rhyme. Another interpretation, suggested by Roche (1978), retains the given spelling, but assumes that "buriall teene" is a misprint for "bury all teene" (teen = grief, woe))
7 Which whoso wants, wants so much of his rest:
whoso > whosoever wants > lacks
8 For all so great shame after death, I ween,
all so > [it is an] equally ween > think
9 As self to die bad, unburied bidden to been."
As self to die bad, unburied bidden to been > [To have died badly as to be left unburied; "bide" (pa. ppl. "bidden") = "to remain in some state or condition"]
201.60
So both agree their bodies to engraue;
2 The great earthes wombe they open to the sky,
And with sad Cypresse seemely it embraue,
4 Then couering with a clod their closed eye,
They lay therein those corses tenderly,
6 And bid them sleepe in euerlasting peace.
But ere they did their vtmost obsequy,
8 Sir Guyon more affection to increace,
Bynempt a sacred vow, which none should aye releace.
1 So both agree their bodies to ingrave;
ingrave > inter
2 The great earth's womb they open to the sky, 3 And with sad cypress seemly it embrave,
seemly > fitting (if referring to the cypress branches); fittingly, becomingly (if referring to the action) embrave > adorn
4 Then, covering with a clod their closed eye, 5 They lay therein those corses tenderly,
corses > bodies
6 And bid them sleep in everlasting peace. 7 But, ere they did their utmost obsequy,
utmost obsequy > final obsequies
8 Sir Guyon, more affection to increase, 9 Benamed a sacred vow, which none should ay release.
Benamed > Declared solemnly ay release > ever cancel
201.61
The dead knights sword out of his sheath he drew,
2 With which he cut a locke of all their heare,
Which medling with their bloud and earth, he threw
4 Into the graue, and gan deuoutly sweare;
Such and such euill God on Guyon reare,
6 And worse and worse young Orphane be thy paine,
If I or thou dew vengeance doe forbeare,
8 Till guiltie bloud her guerdon doe obtaine:
So shedding many teares, they closd the earth againe.
1 The dead knight's sword out of his sheath he drew, 2 With which he cut a lock of all their hair,
all > (It is not clear whether Guyon and the palmer are included)
3 Which, meddling with their blood and earth, he threw
meddling > mixing
4 Into the grave, and gan devoutly swear:
gan > did
5 "Such-and-such evil God on Guyon rear,
on Guyon rear > [rear up against Guyon]
6 And worse and worse, young orphan, be your pain, 7 If I or you due vengeance do forbear, 8 Till guilty blood her guerdon do obtain!"
guerdon > recompense
9 So, shedding many tears, they closed the earth again.
CANTO II
Babes bloudie hands may not be clensd,
2 the face of golden Meane.
Her sisters two Extremities:
4 striue her to banish cleane.
1 Babe's bloody hands may not be cleansed: 2 the face of golden Mean.
face > {External appearance; face of a place or building (e.g. a castle), esp. that comprehended between the flanked angles of two neighbouring bastions} golden > (See 201.58:1, 202.11:6; 202.15:7, Odes 2.10:5) Mean > Medina (named at 202.14:4)
3 Her sisters, two extremities,
extremities > extreme points, extremenesses
4 strive her to banish clean.
clean > entirely, utterly
202.1
THus when Sir Guyon with his faithfull guide
2 Had with due rites and dolorous lament
The end of their sad Tragedie vptyde,
4 The litle babe vp in his armes he hent;
Who with sweet pleasance and bold blandishment
6 Gan smyle on them, that rather ought to weepe,
As carelesse of his woe, or innocent
8 Of that was doen, that ruth emperced deepe
In that knights heart, and wordes with bitter teares did steepe.
1 Thus when Sir Guyon with his faithful guide 2 Had with due rites and dolorous lament 3 The end of their sad tragedy uptied,
uptied > tied up
4 The little babe up in his arms he hent;
hent > took, held
5 Who, with sweet pleasance and bold blandishment,
pleasance > joy; disposition to please, complaisance blandishment > {Flattery, cajolery; allurement; anything that pleases}
6 Gan smile on them, that rather ought to weep,
Gan > Did
7 As careless of his woe, or innocent
As > [As if]
8 Of that was done, that ruth empierced deep
that > [that which] that > [so that] ruth > pity empierced > penetrated
9 In that knight's heart, and words with bitter tears did steep.
202.2
Ah lucklesse babe, borne vnder cruell starre,
2 And in dead parents balefull ashes bred,
Full litle weenest thou, what sorrowes are
4 Left thee for portion of thy liuelihed,
Poore Orphane in the wide world scattered,
6 As budding braunch rent from the natiue tree,
And throwen forth, till it be withered:
8 Such is the state of men: thus enter wee
Into this life with woe, and end with miseree.
1 "Ah, luckless babe, born under cruel star, 2 And in dead parents' baleful ashes bred,
baleful > unhappy, sorrowful; full of active evil; "bale" also = "funeral pyre", so alluding to the legend of the phoenix
3 Full little ween you what sorrows are
Full > Very, exceedingly ween you > do you imagine
4 Left you for portion of your livelihead;
portion > {Share of an estate left to an heir} livelihead > inheritance; means of living
5 Poor orphan in the wide world scattered, 6 As budding branch rent from the native tree,
As > [Like a] rent > torn native > {Parent; pertaining to one's birthright}
7 And thrown forth, till it be withered: 8 Such is the state of men: thus enter we 9 Into this life with woe, and end with misery."
202.3
Then soft himselfe inclyning on his knee
2 Downe to that well, did in the water weene
(So loue does loath disdainfull nicitee)
4 His guiltie hands from bloudie gore to cleene.
He washt them oft and oft, yet nought they beene
6 For all his washing cleaner. Still he stroue,
Yet still the litle hands were bloudie seene;
8 The which him into great amaz'ment droue,
And into diuerse doubt his wauering wonder cloue.
1 Then soft himself inclining on his knee 2 Down to that well, did in the water ween
well > spring; spring with supernatural powers ween > intend
3 (So love does loathe disdainful nicety)
nicety > scrupulosity, fastidiousness
4 His guilty hands from bloody gore to clean.
His > [The baby's]
5 He washed them oft and oft, yet naught they been
naught > not at all been > [were]
6 (For all his washing) cleaner. Still he strove, 7 Yet still the little hands were bloody seen; 8 Which him into great amazement drove, 9 And into diverse doubt his wavering wonder clove.
diverse > diverse; also: distracting (SUS) clove > cleft, divided
202.4
He wist not whether blot of foule offence
2 Might not be purgd with water nor with bath;
Or that high God, in +lieu+ of innocence,
4 Imprinted had that token of his wrath,
To shew how sore bloudguiltinesse he +hat'th+;
6 Or that the charme and venim, which they druncke,
Their bloud with secret filth infected hath,
8 Being diffused through the senselesse truncke,
That through the great contagion direfull deadly stunck.
3 lieu > loue sugg. Church 5 hat'th > hat'h 1590; cf. 109.31:5
1 He wist not whether blot of foul offence
wist > knew
2 Might not be purged with water nor with bath; 3 Or that high God, in lieu of innocence,
Or > Either in lieu > in place, instead
4 Imprinted had that token of His wrath, 5 To show how sore blood-guiltiness He hates;
sore > severely; seriously; intensely blood-guiltiness > responsibility for bloodshed
6 Or that the charm and venom, which they drank,
venom > poison drank > (Applies literally to the poison and figuratively to the charm)
7 Their blood with secret filth infected has, 8 Being diffused through the senseless trunk,
trunk > {Corpse; body considered apart from its soul}
9 That, through the great contagion, direful deadly stank.
202.5
Whom thus at gaze, the Palmer gan to bord
2 With goodly reason, and thus faire bespake;
Ye bene right +hard+ amated, gratious Lord,
4 And of your ignorance great maruell make,
Whiles cause not well conceiued ye mistake.
6 But know, that secret vertues are infusd
In euery fountaine, and in euery lake,
8 Which who hath skill them rightly to haue chusd,
To proofe of passing wonders hath full often vsd.
3 hard > hart 1590
1 Whom, thus at gaze, the palmer began to board
at gaze > {Gazing in wonder, bewilderment, or perplexity} board > draw near to and address, accost
2 With goodly reason, and thus fair bespoke:
bespoke > spoke
3 "You been right hard amated, gracious lord,
been > [are; have been] amated > daunted, subdued; cast down
4 And of your ignorance great marvel make, 5 While cause not well conceived you mistake.
mistake > imagine erroneously
6 But know that secret virtues are infused
virtues > properties, powers; occult properties
7 In every fountain, and in every lake, 8 Which who has skill them rightly to have chosen,
who has skill > [whoever has the knowledge]
9 To proof of passing wonders has full often used.
proof of > make proof of, prove; hence: demonstrate passing > surpassing full > very
202.6
Of those some were so from their sourse indewd
2 By great Dame Nature, from whose fruitfull pap
Their welheads spring, and are with moisture deawd;
4 Which feedes each liuing plant with liquid sap,
And filles with flowres faire Floraes painted lap:
6 But other some by gift of later grace,
Or by good prayers, or by other hap,
8 Had vertue pourd into their waters bace,
And thenceforth were renowmd, and sought from place to place.
1 "Of those some were so from their source endued 2 By great Dame Nature, from whose fruitful pap
pap > breast
3 Their well-heads spring, and are with moisture dewed; 4 Which feeds each living plant with liquid sap, 5 And fills with flowers fair Flora's painted lap: 6 But other some, by gift of later grace,
other some > [some others]
7 Or by good prayers, or by other hap,
hap > chance, fortune
8 Had virtue poured into their waters base,
virtue > efficacy, power; occult power
9 And thenceforth were renowned, and sought from place to place.
202.7
Such is this well, wrought by occasion straunge,
2 Which to her Nymph befell. Vpon a day,
As she the woods with bow and shafts did raunge,
4 The hartlesse Hind and Robucke to dismay,
Dan Faunus chaunst to meet her by the way,
6 And kindling fire at her faire burning eye,
Inflamed was to follow beauties +chace+,
8 And chaced her, that fast from him did fly;
As Hind from her, so she fled from her enimy.
7 chace > pray sugg. Collier, after a note by Drayton in a copy of the 1611 edition
1 "Such is this well, wrought by occasion strange
well > spring; spring with supernatural powers occasion > incident, juncture of circumstances
2 Which to its nymph befell. Upon a day,
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, nymphs of fresh water. Many of these presided over springs which were believed to inspire those who drank the water)
3 As she the woods with bow and shafts did range,
shafts > arrows
4 The hartless hind and roebuck to dismay,
hartless > {Timid (heartless); lacking a hart or harts (hart = the adult male deer, esp. Red Deer)} hind > {Adult female deer, esp. Red Deer} dismay > overcome, defeat; hence: hunt, kill
5 Dan Faunus chanced to meet her by the way,
Dan > {Title of honour, as "Master", "Sir"} Faunus > (The Roman god of the woods, half man and half goat, grandson of Saturn; identified with the Greek Pan)
6 And, kindling fire at her fair burning eye, 7 Inflamed was to follow beauty's chase, 8 And chased her, that fast from him did fly;
fly > flee
9 As hind from her, so she fled from her enemy.
202.8
At last when fayling breath began to faint,
2 And saw no meanes to scape, of shame affrayd,
She +set+ her downe to weepe for sore constraint,
4 And to Diana calling lowd for ayde,
Her deare besought, to let her dye a mayd.
6 The goddesse heard, and suddeine where she sate,
Welling out streames of teares, and quite dismayd
8 With stony feare of that rude rustick mate,
Transformd her to a stone from stedfast virgins state.
3 set > sate 1609
1 "At last when failing breath began to faint,
faint > become faint, grow weak; hence: give out
2 And saw no means to scape, of shame afraid,
saw > [she saw] scape > escape
3 She set her down to weep for sore constraint,
her > [herself] constraint > distress
4 And to Diana calling loud for aid, 5 Her dear besought to let her die a maid.
dear > earnestly
6 The goddess heard, and suddenly, where she sat 7 (Welling out streams of tears, and quite dismayed 8 With stony fear of that rude rustic mate), 9 Transformed her to a stone from steadfast virgin's state.
202.9
Lo now she is that stone, from +whose+ two heads,
2 As from two weeping eyes, fresh streames do flow,
Yet cold through feare, and old conceiued dreads;
4 And yet the stone her semblance seemes to show,
Shapt like a maid, that such ye may her know;
6 And yet her vertues in her water byde:
For it is chast and pure, as purest snow,
8 Ne lets her waues with any filth +be+ dyde,
But euer like her selfe vnstained hath beene tryde.
1 whose > those 1596, 1609 8 be > he 1596
1 "Lo now she is that stone, from whose two heads, 2 As from two weeping eyes, fresh streams do flow, 3 Yet cold through fear, and old conceived dreads;
Yet > Still
4 And yet the stone her semblance seems to show, 5 Shaped like a maid, that such you may her know;
such > [as such]
6 And yet her virtues in her water bide:
virtues > (Playing on both meanings: "virtues" in the modern sense, and "virtues" as at 202.5:6) bide > remain; remain unchanged
7 For it is chaste and pure, as purest snow, 8 Nor lets her waves with any filth be dyed, 9 But ever like herself, unstained, has been tried.
tried > shown to be
202.10
From thence it comes, that this babes bloudy hand
2 May not be clensd with water of this well:
Ne certes Sir striue you it to withstand,
4 But let them still be bloudy, as befell,
That they his mothers innocence may tell,
6 As she bequeathd in her last testament;
That as a sacred Symbole it may dwell
8 In her sonnes flesh, to minde reuengement,
And be for all chast Dames an endlesse moniment.
1 "From thence it comes that this babe's bloody hand 2 May not be cleansed with water of this well:
well > spring; spring with supernatural powers
3 Neither certes sir, strive you it to withstand,
certes > assuredly
4 But let them still be bloody, as befell,
still > always befell > [it befell]
5 That they his mother's innocence may tell,
That > [So that]
6 As she bequeathed in her last testament; 7 That as a sacred symbol it may dwell
That > [So that] dwell > remain
8 In her son's flesh, to mind revengement,
In > On; in (cf. Rom. 7.20) mind > bring to mind revengement > revenge, retribution; punishment
9 And be for all chaste dames an endless monument."
202.11
He hearkned to his reason, and the childe
2 Vptaking, to the Palmer gaue to beare;
But his sad fathers armes with bloud defilde,
4 An heauie load himselfe did lightly reare,
And turning to that place, in which whyleare
6 He left his loftie steed with golden sell,
And goodly gorgeous barbes, him found not theare.
8 By other accident that earst befell,
He is conuaide, but how or where, here fits not tell.
1 He hearkened to his reason, and the child 2 Uptaking, to the palmer gave to bear; 3 But his sad father's arms, with blood defiled,
arms > {Weapons, shield and armour}
4 A heavy load, himself did lightly rear,
lightly > easily
5 And turning to that place, in which whilere
turning > returning whilere > erewhile: lately
6 He left his lofty steed with golden sell,
sell > saddle
7 And goodly gorgeous bards, him found not there.
bards > horse-armour
8 By other accident that erst befell,
other > [another] accident > unforeseen event, chance erst > recently
9 He is conveyed, but how or where, here fits not tell.
conveyed > removed in an underhand manner (described at 203.4) tell > [to tell]
202.12
Which when Sir Guyon saw, all were he wroth,
2 Yet algates mote he soft himselfe appease,
And fairely fare on foot, how euer loth;
4 His double burden did him sore disease.
So long they traueiled with litle ease,
6 Till that at last they to a Castle came,
Built on a rocke adioyning to the +seas,+
8 It was an auncient worke of antique fame,
And wondrous strong by nature, and by skilfull frame.
7 seas, > seas: 1609
1 Which when Sir Guyon saw, all were he wroth,
all were he wroth > [although he was angry]
2 Yet algates might he soft himself appease,
algates > after all; at any rate
3 And fairly fare on foot, however loath; 4 His double burden did him sore disease.
disease > dis-ease: discomfort, distress
5 So long they travelled with little ease, 6 Till at last they to a castle came, 7 Built on a rock adjoining the sea; 8 It was an ancient work of antique fame, 9 And wondrous strong by nature, and by skilful frame.
frame > construction; architectural intent
202.13
Therein three sisters dwelt of sundry sort,
2 The children of one sire by mothers three;
Who dying whylome did diuide this fort
4 To them by equall shares in equall fee:
But +strifull+ minde, and diuerse qualitee
6 Drew them in parts, and each made others foe:
Still they did striue, and dayly disagree;
8 The eldest did against the youngest goe,
And both against the middest meant to worken woe.
5 strifull > strifefull 1609
1 Therein three sisters dwelt of sundry sort,
sundry > different; distinct
2 The children of one sire by mothers three;
sire > father
3 Who, dying whilom, did divide this fort
whilom > at some past time; a while ago (the intended pointing might also be "Who, dying, whylome did diuide …") divide > {Separate into parts and distribute}
4 To them by equal shares in equal fee:
fee > {Estate of inheritance held in land}
5 But strifeful mind and diverse quality
quality > disposition, character
6 Drew them in parts, and each made others' foe:
in parts > into factions ("part" is cognate with "party", = prin- cipal in legal proceeding) others' > [the others'; or: the other's, in view of lines 7-9]
7 Still they did strive, and daily disagree;
Still > Always, ever
8 The eldest did against the youngest go, 9 And both against the middest meant to work woe.
middest > midmost, middle [sister]
202.14
Where when the knight arriu'd, he was right well
2 Receiu'd, as knight of so much worth became,
Of second sister, who did far excell
4 The other two; Medina was her name,
A sober sad, and comely curteous Dame;
6 Who rich arayd, and yet in modest guize,
In goodly garments, that her well became,
8 Faire marching forth in honorable wize,
Him at the threshold met, and well did enterprize.
1 Where when the knight arrived, he was right well
right > very
2 Received, as knight of so much worth became,
became > fitted, suited
3 Of second sister, who did far excel
Of > [By the]
4 The other two; Medina was her name,
Medina > "Mean", "Central" (Latin medius, middle); hence:
"Temperate"
5 A sober, sad, and comely courteous dame;
sad > grave, serious comely > decorous, decent
6 Who (rich arrayed, and yet in modest guise,
guise > appearance; demeanour; behaviour
7 In goodly garments, that her well became), 8 Fair marching forth in honourable wise,
wise > manner
9 Him at the threshold met, and well did enterprise.
enterprise > undertake, take in hand; hence: welcome, entertain
202.15
She led him vp into a goodly bowre,
2 And comely courted with meet modestie,
Ne in her speach, ne in her hauiour,
4 Was lightnesse seene, or looser vanitie,
But gratious womanhood, and grauitie,
6 Aboue the reason of her youthly yeares:
Her golden lockes she roundly did vptye
8 In +breaded+ tramels, that no looser heares
Did out of order stray about her daintie eares.
8 breaded > brayded 1609
1 She led him up into a goodly bower,
bower > room, chamber
2 And comely courted with meet modesty;
comely > decorously meet > appropriate, fitting
3 Neither in her speech, nor in her haviour,
haviour > deportment, bearing; behaviour
4 Was lightness seen, or looser vanity,
looser > too-loose; loose
5 But gracious womanhood, and gravity, 6 Above the reason of her youthly years:
Above the reason of > [Beyond those to be expected from one of]
7 Her golden locks she roundly did uptie
roundly > completely; severely uptie > tie up, bind
8 In braided trammels, that no looser hairs
trammels > constraints, restraints (her hair is held in place by braids rather than a snood or net) that > [so that] looser > too-loose; loose
9 Did out of order stray about her dainty ears.
202.16
Whilest she her selfe thus busily did frame,
2 Seemely to entertaine her new-come guest,
Newes hereof to her other sisters came,
4 Who all this while were at their wanton rest,
Accourting each her friend with lauish fest:
6 They were two knights of perelesse puissance,
And famous far abroad for warlike gest,
8 Which to these Ladies loue did countenaunce,
And to his mistresse each himselfe stroue to aduaunce.
1 Whilst she herself thus busily did frame,
frame > direct, give shape to; hence: proceed
2 Seemly to entertain her new-come guest,
Seemly > Suitably, properly, seemlily
3 News hereof to her other sisters came, 4 Who all this while were at their wanton rest, 5 Accourting each her friend with lavish feast:
Accourting > Courting, entertaining (WU) friend > lover
6 They were two knights of peerless puissance,
puissance > strength, power
7 And famous far abroad for warlike gest,
gest > exploits
8 Who to these ladies love did countenance,
countenance > make a show of; pretend
9 And to his mistress each himself strove to advance.
202.17
He that made loue vnto the eldest Dame,
2 Was hight Sir Huddibras, an hardy man;
Yet not so good of deedes, as great of name,
4 Which he by many rash aduentures wan,
Since errant armes to sew he first began;
6 More huge in strength, then wise in workes he was,
And reason with foole-hardize ouer ran;
8 Sterne melancholy did his courage pas,
And was for terrour more, all armd in shyning bras.
1 He that made love to the eldest dame 2 Was hight Sir Huddibras, a hardy man;
hight > called Huddibras > (A name catalogued by Spenser in his roll of British kings at 210.25:4. Glossed by Roche (1978) as "Rashness"; Hamilton (1980) speculates on "Hardi-bras", "Foolhardiness"; this might also be interpreted as "One Who Chances His Arm". The name "Hudibras" was used by Samuel Butler for his satire of that name published in 1662, but according to the Grub Street Journal (1731), Butler derived the name from that of Hugh de Bras, the patron saint of Cornwall)
3 Yet not so good of deeds, as great of name,
name > reputation, fame
4 Which he by many rash adventures won, 5 Since errant arms to sue he first began;
errant arms > [feats of arms performed by a knight errant] sue > {Pursue, go in quest of; take as a model, pattern, or ideal}
6 More huge in strength than wise in works he was, 7 And reason with foolhardice overran;
foolhardice > foolhardiness
8 Stern melancholy did his courage pass,
Stern > Fierce, grim, harsh melancholy > melancholy, gloom; irascibility pass > surpass, exceed
9 And was, for terror more, all armed in shining brass.
terror more > [greater terror]
202.18
But he that lou'd the youngest, was Sans-loy,
2 He that faire Vna late fowle outraged,
The most vnruly, and the boldest boy,
4 That euer warlike weapons menaged,
And to all lawlesse lust encouraged,
6 Through strong opinion of his matchlesse might:
Ne ought he car'd, whom he endamaged
8 By tortious wrong, or whom bereau'd of right.
He now this Ladies champion chose for loue to fight.
1 But he that loved the youngest was Sansloy 2 (He that fair Una late foul outraged),
late > lately (see 103.43-44, 106.3-8)
3 The most unruly, and the boldest, boy 4 That ever warlike weapons managed,
managed > wielded
5 And to all lawless lust encouraged,
encouraged > [was encouraged]
6 Through strong opinion of his matchless might: 7 Ne aught he cared whom he endamaged
Ne aught > Naught; and naught endamaged > inflicted injury upon; hurt
8 By tortious wrong, or whom bereaved of right.
tortious > injurious; wicked; illegal
9 He now this lady's champian chose for love to fight.
champian > campaign, field of military operations
202.19
These two gay knights, vowd to so diuerse loues,
2 Each other does enuie with deadly hate,
And dayly warre against his foeman moues,
4 In hope to win more fauour with his mate,
And th'others pleasing seruice to abate,
6 To magnifie his owne. But when they heard,
How in that place straunge knight arriued late,
8 Both knights and Ladies forth right angry far'd,
And fiercely vnto battell sterne themselues prepar'd.
1 These two gay knights, vowed to so diverse loves,
gay > fine so diverse > [such different]
2 Each other does envy with deadly hate,
envy > begrudge
3 And daily war against his foeman moves,
foeman > foe, enemy moves > stirs up
4 In hope to win more favour with his mate, 5 And the other's pleasing service to abate, 6 To magnify his own. But when they heard 7 How in that place strange knight arrived late,
strange > [a foreign, an unknown] late > recently
8 Both knights and ladies forth right angry fared,
right > at once; very
9 And fiercely to battle stern themselves prepared.
stern > hard, stubbornly contested; fierce
202.20
But ere they could proceede vnto the place,
2 Where he abode, themselues at discord fell,
And cruell combat ioynd in middle space:
4 With horrible assault, and furie fell,
They heapt huge strokes, the scorned life to quell,
6 That all on vprore from her settled seat,
The house was raysd, and all that in did dwell;
8 Seemd that lowde thunder with amazement great
Did rend the ratling skyes with flames of fouldring heat.
1 But ere they could proceed to the place 2 Where he abode, themselves at discord fell, 3 And cruel combat joined in middle space:
joined > (To "join battle" is to come together and begin fighting)
4 With horrible assault, and fury fell,
fell > fierce, terrible
5 They heaped huge strokes, the scorned life to quell,
the > (Each other's; and each is also careless of his own) quell > destroy; extinguish
6 That all on uproar from its settled seat
That > [So that]
7 The house was raised, and all that in did dwell; 8 Seemed that loud thunder with amazement great
Seemed > [It seemed] amazement > consternation, frenzy
9 Did rend the rattling skies with flames of fouldering heat.
fouldering > {Flashing or thundering forth; cf. 111.40:2}
202.21
The noyse thereof +calth+ forth that straunger knight,
2 To weet, what dreadfull thing was there in +hand+;
Where when as two braue knights in bloudy fight
4 With deadly rancour he enraunged fond,
His sunbroad shield about his wrest he bond,
6 And shyning blade vnsheathd, with which he ran
Vnto that stead, their strife to vnderstond;
8 And at his first arriuall, them began
With goodly meanes to pacifie, well as he can.
1 calth > cald 1590 2 hand > hond 1609
1 The noise thereof called forth that stranger knight,
stranger > new-come; foreign; unknown
2 To weet what dreadful thing was there in hand;
weet > find out
3 Where when two brave knights in bloody fight
brave > brave; splendid
4 With deadly rancour he enranged found,
enranged > arranged; ranged [in battle]
5 His sun-broad shield about his wrist he bound, 6 And shining blade unsheathed, with which he ran 7 To that stead, their strife to understand;
stead > place
8 And at his first arrival them began 9 With goodly means to pacify, well as he can.
well > [as well]
202.22
But they him spying, both with greedy forse
2 Attonce vpon him ran, and him beset
With strokes of mortall steele without remorse,
4 And on his shield like yron sledges bet:
As when a Beare and Tygre being met
6 In cruell fight on lybicke Ocean wide,
Espye a traueiler with feet surbet,
8 Whom they in equall pray hope to deuide,
They stint their strife, and him assaile on euery side.
1 But they, him spying, both with greedy force
greedy > eager; mad, reckless
2 At once upon him ran, and him beset
At once > Immediately; together, simultaneously
3 With strokes of mortal steel without remorse,
remorse > {Compunction; mitigation; also: biting or cutting force (SUFQ; cf. 402.15:3)}
4 And on his shield like iron sledges beat:
sledges > sledge-hammers
5 As when a bear and tiger, being met 6 In cruel fight on Libyan ocean wide,
ocean > {A great expanse of anything; hence: desert}
7 Espy a traveller with feet surbated,
surbated > bruised, sore (from too much walking)
8 Whom they in equal prey hope to divide, 9 They stint their strife, and him assail on every side.
202.23
But he, not like a wearie traueilere,
2 Their sharpe assault right +bloudy+ did rebut,
And suffred not their blowes to byte him nere,
4 But with redoubled buffes them backe did put:
Whose grieued mindes, which choler did englut,
6 Against themselues turning their wrathfull spight,
Gan with new rage their shields to hew and cut;
8 But still when Guyon came to part their fight,
With heauie load on him they freshly gan to smight.
2 bloudy > boldly 1590; boldy 1609
1 But he, not like a weary traveller,
not like > unlike
2 Their sharp assault right boldly did rebut, 3 And suffered not their blows to bite him near,
suffered > allowed
4 But with redoubled buffs them back did put:
buffs > buffets, blows
5 Whose grieved minds, which choler did englut,
choler > (One of the four principal humours of the body which, according to medieval belief, were supposed to determine one's mental and physical attributes: phlegm, blood, black bile, and choler. Choler was associated with rage) englut > swallow, engulf; satiate
6 Against themselves turning their wrathful spite, 7 Began with new rage their shields to hew and cut; 8 But still when Guyon came to part their fight,
still > ever, always
9 With heavy load on him they freshly began to smite.
heavy > heavy; grievous; intense
202.24
As a tall ship tossed in troublous seas,
2 Whom raging windes threatning to make the pray
Of the rough rockes, do diuersly disease,
4 Meetes two contrary billowes by the way,
That her on either side do sore assay,
6 And boast to swallow her in greedy graue;
She scorning both their spights, does make wide way,
8 And with her brest breaking the fomy waue,
Does ride on both their backs, and faire her selfe doth saue.
1 As a tall ship, tossed in troublous seas,
As > [As when]
2 Whom raging winds (threatening to make the prey
Whom > (Aiding the understanding. A ship is still referred to as "she")
3 Of the rough rocks) do diversely disease,
diversely > variously; also: distractingly (SUS) disease > dis-ease: trouble, distress
4 Meets two contrary billows by the way, 5 That her on either side do sore assay,
assay > assail; make trial of
6 And boast to swallow her in greedy grave;
boast > threaten
7 She, scorning both their spites, does make wide way, 8 And with her breast breaking the foamy wave 9 Does ride on both their backs, and fair herself does save.
202.25
So boldly he him beares, and rusheth forth
2 Betweene them both, by conduct of his blade.
Wondrous great prowesse and heroick worth
4 He shewd that day, and rare ensample made,
When two so mighty warriours he dismade:
6 Attonce he wards and strikes, he takes and payes,
Now forst to yield, now forcing to inuade,
8 Before, behind, and round about him layes:
So double was his paines, so double be his prayse.
1 So boldly he him bears, and rushes forth
So > Similarly him > [himself]
2 Between them both, by conduct of his blade.
conduct > management, control
3 Wondrous great prowess and heroic worth
prowess > valour
4 He showed that day, and rare example made, 5 When two so mighty warriors he dismayed:
so > such dismayed > overcame, defeated
6 At once he wards and strikes, he takes and pays, 7 Now forced to yield, now forcing to invade, 8 Before, behind, and round about him lays: 9 So double were his pains, so double be his praise.
pains > efforts
202.26
Straunge sort of fight, three valiaunt knights to see
2 Three combats ioyne in one, and to darraine
A triple warre with triple enmitee,
4 All for their Ladies froward loue to gaine,
Which gotten was but hate. So loue does raine
6 In stoutest minds, and maketh monstrous warre;
He maketh warre, he maketh peace againe,
8 And yet his peace is but continuall iarre:
O miserable men, that to him subiect arre.
1 Strange sort of fight, three valiant knights to see 2 Three combats join in one, and to deraign
deraign > {Challenge; determine; fight a contest in order to settle a dispute}
3 A triple war with triple enmity, 4 All for their ladies' froward love to gain,
froward > perverse, evilly disposed
5 Which gotten was but hate. So Love does reign
gotten > [once got, once secured] Love > [Cupid]
6 In stoutest minds, and makes monstrous war;
stoutest > [the] bravest
7 He makes war, he makes peace again, 8 And yet his peace is but continual jar:
jar > discord
9 O miserable men, that to him subject are.
202.27
Whilst thus they mingled were in furious armes,
2 The faire Medina with her tresses torne,
And naked brest, in pitty of their harmes,
4 Emongst them ran, and falling them beforne,
Besought them by the womb, which them had borne,
6 And by the loues, which were to them most deare,
And by the knighthood, which they sure had sworne,
8 Their deadly cruell discord to forbeare,
And to her iust conditions of faire peace to heare.
1 Whilst thus they mingled were in furious arms,
arms > deeds of arms; hence: armed combat
2 The fair Medina, with her tresses torn, 3 And naked breast, in pity of their harms,
harms > troubles, pains
4 Amongst them ran and, falling them before, 5 Besought them by the womb which them had borne, 6 And by the loves, which were to them most dear, 7 And by the knighthood which they sure had sworn,
knighthood > [vows of chivalry]
8 Their deadly cruel discord to forbear, 9 And to her just conditions of fair peace to hear.
hear > listen, give audience
202.28
But her two other sisters standing by,
2 Her lowd gainsaid, and both +their champions+ bad
Pursew the end of their strong enmity,
4 As euer of their loues they would be glad.
Yet she with pitthy words and counsell sad,
6 Still stroue their stubborne rages to reuoke,
That at the last suppressing fury mad,
8 They gan abstaine from dint of direfull stroke,
And hearken to the sober speaches, which she spoke.
2 their champions > her champions 1590; their champion 1596, 1609; this correction is generally agreed
1 But her two other sisters, standing by,
other > (Superfluous to the sense)
2 Her loud gainsaid, and both their champions bade 3 Pursue the end of their strong enmity, 4 As ever of their loves they would be glad.
As > [As; if]
5 Yet she, with pithy words and counsel sad,
pithy > significant, full of meaning sad > grave
6 Still strove their stubborn rages to revoke,
revoke > restrain
7 That at the last, suppressing fury mad,
That > [So that]
8 They gan abstain from dint of direful stroke,
gan > did dint > [the dealing of blows; the force] direful > dreadful, terrible stroke > (Collectively)
9 And hearken to the sober speeches which she spoke.
202.29
Ah puissaunt Lords, what cursed euill Spright,
2 Or fell +Erinnys+ in your noble +harts,+
Her hellish brond hath kindled with despight,
4 And stird you vp to worke your wilfull smarts?
Is this the ioy of armes? be these the parts
6 Of glorious knighthood, after bloud to +thrust+,
And not regard dew right and iust desarts?
8 Vaine is the vaunt, and victory vniust,
That more to mighty hands, then rightfull cause doth trust.
2 Erinnys > Erinnys, 1609 2 harts, > harts 1609 6 thrust > thurst 1609
1 "Ah, puissant lords, what cursed evil spirit,
puissant > mighty
2 Or fell Erinnys in your noble hearts,
fell > fierce, terrible Erinnys > (The Erinnyes or Furies are three goddesses who guard the gates of hell)
3 Her hellish brand has kindled with despite,
brand > burning, fire; torch; sword (if the last sense applies, "kindled" = "made to glow") despite > rage, malice
4 And stirred you up to work your wilful smarts?
smarts > sharp pains
5 Is this the joy of arms? Be these the parts
parts > qualities; abilities
6 Of glorious knighthood, after blood to thrust,
thrust > thrust; thirst
7 And not regard due right and just deserts? 8 Vain is the vaunt, and victory unjust,
vaunt > boast
9 That more to mighty hands than rightful cause does trust.
202.30
And were +there+ rightfull cause of difference,
2 Yet were not better, faire it to accord,
Then with +bloud guiltnesse+ to heape offence,
4 And mortall vengeaunce ioyne to crime abhord?
O fly from wrath, fly, O my liefest Lord:
6 Sad be the sights, and bitter fruits of warre,
And thousand furies wait on wrathfull sword;
8 Ne ought the prayse of prowesse more doth marre,
Then fowle reuenging rage, and base contentious iarre.
1 there > their 1596, 1609; cf. 110.36:6, 206.27:9, 211.21:8, 304.41:7, 312.28:1 3 bloud guiltnesse > bloodguiltnesse 1590; bloodguiltinesse 1609; cf. 202.4:5
1 "And were there rightful cause of difference, 2 Yet were not better, fair it to accord,