209.57
The yeares of Nestor nothing were to his,
2 Ne yet Mathusalem, though longest liu'd;
For he remembred both their infancies:
4 Ne wonder then, if that he were depriu'd
Of natiue strength now, that he them suruiu'd.
6 His chamber all was hangd about with rolles,
And old records from auncient times deriu'd,
8 Some made in books, some in long parchment scrolles,
That were all worme-eaten, and full of canker holes.
1 The years of Nestor nothing were to his,
years > [age] Nestor > (See 209.48:4) to > [compared with]
2 Nor yet Methuselah, though longest lived;
Methuselah > (Who lived 969 years according to Gen. 5.27)
3 For he remembered both their infancies: 4 No wonder then, if he were deprived 5 Of native strength now, that he them survived.
native > natural; innate
6 His chamber all was hung about with rolls, 7 And old records from ancient times derived, 8 Some made in books, some in long parchment scrolls, 9 That were all worm-eaten, and full of canker holes.
209.58
Amidst them all he in a chaire was set,
2 Tossing and turning them withouten end;
But for he was vnhable them to fet,
4 A litle boy did on him still attend,
To reach, when euer he for ought did send;
6 And oft when things were lost, or laid amis,
That boy them sought, and vnto him did lend.
8 Therefore he Anamnestes cleped is,
And that old man Eumnestes, by their propertis.
1 Amidst them all he in a chair was set,
set > set; seated
2 Tossing and turning them without end; 3 But for he was unable them to fetch,
for > [in that]
4 A little boy did on him still attend,
still > continuously
5 To reach, whenever he for aught did send; 6 And oft when things were lost, or laid amiss, 7 That boy them sought, and to him did lend.
lend > give
8 Therefore he Anamnestes cleped is,
Anamnestes > "Reminder" (Greek) cleped > called
9 And that old man Eumnestes, by their properties.
Eumnestes > "Good Memory" (Greek) properties > attributes, qualities
209.59
The knights there entring, did him reuerence dew
2 And wondred at his endlesse exercise,
Then as they gan his Librarie to vew,
4 And antique Registers for to auise,
There chaunced to the Princes hand to rize,
6 An auncient booke, hight Briton moniments,
That of this lands first conquest did deuize,
8 And old diuision into Regiments,
Till it reduced was to one mans gouernments.
1 The knights, there entering, did him reverence due 2 And wondered at his endless exercise,
wondered > marvelled
3 Then as they began his library to view, 4 And antique registers to advise,
advise > look at
5 There chanced to the prince's hand to rise 6 An ancient book, hight Briton Moniments,
hight > called, entitled Moniments > Monuments: records, documents
7 That of this land's first conquest did devise,
devise > treat, tell
8 And old division into regiments,
regiments > kingdoms
9 Till it reduced was to one man's governments.
governments > government; control
209.60
Sir Guyon chaunst eke on another booke,
2 That hight Antiquitie of Faerie +lond,+
In which when as he greedily did +looke,+
4 Th'off-spring of Elues and Faries there he fond,
As it deliuered was from hond to hond:
6 Whereat they burning both with feruent fire,
Their countries auncestry to vnderstond,
8 Crau'd leaue of Alma, and that aged sire,
To read those bookes; who gladly graunted their desire.
2 lond, > lond. 1596 3 looke, > looke; 1596, 1609
1 Sir Guyon chanced eke on another book,
eke > also
2 That hight Antiquity of Faery Land,
hight > was called, was entitled Antiquity > Ancient Records
3 In which when he greedily did look,
greedily > eagerly
4 The offspring of Elves and Faeries there he found,
offspring > ancestry
5 As it delivered was from hand to hand: 6 Whereat they, burning both with fervent fire
Whereat > At which
7 Their countries' ancestry to understand, 8 Craved leave of Alma, and that aged sire,
sire > elderly man [Eumnestes]
9 To read those books; who gladly granted their desire.
CANTO X
A chronicle of Briton kings,
2 from Brute to Vthers rayne.
And rolles of Elfin Emperours,
4 till time of Gloriane.
1 A chronicle of Briton kings
chronicle > (Spenser derives his chronicle from standard chronicles, principally the twelfth-century Historia Regum Britanniae (HRB) by Geoffrey of Monmouth, and Elizabethan sources such as Holinshed's Chronicles. A full account is in Harper (1910), abstracted in Var. 301-34, 449-53; Hamilton (1980) provides further comment)
2 from Brutus to Uther's reign.
Brutus > (The mythical first king of Britain, great-grandson of
Aeneas)
Uther > (Uther Pendragon, father of Arthur; see 210.68:1-2)
3 And rolls of Elfin emperors
rolls > registers, lists
4 till time of Gloriana.
Gloriana > (The Faery Queen; Elizabeth)
210.1
WHo now shall giue vnto me words and sound,
2 Equall vnto this haughtie enterprise?
Or who shal lend me wings, with which from ground
4 My lowly verse may loftily arise,
And lift it selfe vnto the highest skies?
6 More ample spirit, then hitherto was wount,
Here needes me, whiles the famous auncestries
8 Of my most dreaded Soueraigne I recount,
By which all earthly Princes she doth farre surmount.
1 Who now shall give to me words and sound 2 Equal to this haughty enterprise?
haughty > lofty, noble
3 Or who shall lend me wings, with which from ground 4 My lowly verse may loftily arise, 5 And lift itself to the highest skies? 6 More ample spirit than hitherto was wont
wont > accustomed
7 Here needs me, while the famous ancestries
needs me > I need
8 Of my most dreaded sovereign I recount,
dreaded > revered
9 By which all earthly princes she does far surmount.
By > [By virtue of] surmount > surpass
210.2
Ne vnder Sunne, that shines so wide and faire,
2 Whence all that liues, does borrow life and light,
Liues ought, that to her linage may compaire,
4 Which though from earth it be deriued right,
Yet doth it selfe stretch forth to heauens hight,
6 And all the world with wonder ouerspred;
A labour huge, exceeding farre my might:
8 How shall fraile pen, with feare disparaged,
Conceiue such soueraine glory, and great bountihed?
1 Not under sun, that shines so wide and fair, 2 Whence all that lives does borrow life and light, 3 Lives aught that to her lineage may compare,
aught > anything at all
4 Which though from earth it be derived right, 5 Yet does itself stretch forth to heaven's height, 6 And all the world with wonder overspread; 7 A labour huge, exceeding far my might: 8 How shall frail pen, with fear disparaged,
disparaged > cast down
9 Conceive such sovereign glory, and great bountihead?
bountihead > bounteousness
210.3
Argument worthy of M{oe}onian quill,
2 Or rather worthy of great Ph{oe}bus rote,
Whereon the ruines of great Ossa hill,
4 And triumphes of Phlegr{ae}an Ioue he wrote,
That all the Gods admird his loftie note.
6 But if some relish of that heauenly lay
His learned daughters would to me report,
8 To decke my song withall, I would assay,
Thy name, {o^} soueraine Queene, to blazon farre away.
1 Argument worthy of Maeonian quill,
Argument > Subject-matter Maeonian > (Homer is said to have come from Maeonia, part of Lydia, and is also known as "Maeonides") quill > pen
2 Or rather worthy of great Phoebus' rote,
rote > {A medieval musical instrument, probably resembling the violin; hence: lyre, phorminx}
3 Whereon the ruins of great Ossa hill,
Ossa > (A mountain (elev. c. 6400 feet) in northern Thessaly (now Kisavo); the Giants, in attempting to scale Mount Olympus, piled it on the neighbouring Mount Pelion (Virgil, Georgics 1.281))
4 And triumphs of Phlegrean Jove he wrote,
Phlegrean > (It was at Phlegra (or Pallene), in Macedonia, that the
Giants attacked the gods; see 507.10:5)
Jove > (Who defeated the Giants with thunderbolts fashioned by
Vulcan and his Cyclopes)
wrote > set to music
5 That all the gods admired his lofty note.
That > [So that] admired > {Admired; heard with wonder or surprise}
6 But if some relish of that heavenly lay
relish > flavour; trace lay > song
7 His learned daughters would to me report,
His learned daughters > (The nine Muses. "His" may equally refer to Apollo, for in later accounts he is the leader of the choir of Muses, and receives the name of Musagetes as a result. According to Myth. 4.10, the Muses are the children of Apollo rather than of Jupiter) report > send back
8 To deck my song withal, I would essay
withal > notwithstanding essay > attempt
9 Your name, O sovereign queen, to blazon far away.
blazon > proclaim (cf. 100 for various resemblances to the four opening stanzas of 210, which themselves comprise a sort of proem)
210.4
Thy name {o^} soueraine Queene, thy realme and race,
2 From this renowmed Prince deriued arre,
+Who+ mightily vpheld that royall mace,
4 Which now thou bear'st, to thee descended farre
From mightie kings and conquerours in warre,
6 Thy fathers and great Grandfathers of old,
Whose noble deedes aboue the Northerne starre
8 Immortall fame for euer hath enrold;
As in that old mans booke they were in order told.
3 Who > Whom 1590, 1596: FE
1 Your name, O sovereign queen, your realm and race, 2 From this renowned prince derived are,
prince > [Arthur]
3 Who mightily upheld that royal mace
mace > sceptre
4 Which now you bear, to you descended far 5 From mighty kings and conquerors in war, 6 Your fathers and great grandfathers of old,
grandfathers > ancestors
7 Whose noble deeds above the northern star 8 Immortal fame for ever has enrolled;
enrolled > recorded
9 As in that old man's book they were in order told.
that old man > [Eumnestes]
210.5
The land, which warlike Britons now possesse,
2 And therein haue their mightie empire raysd,
In antique times was saluage wildernesse,
4 Vnpeopled, vnmanurd, vnprou'd, vnpraysd,
Ne was it Island then, ne was it paysd
6 Amid the Ocean waues, ne was it sought
Of marchants farre, for profits therein praysd,
8 But all was desolate, and of some thought
By sea to haue bene from the Celticke mayn-land brought.
1 The land which warlike Britons now possess,
possess > inhabit; own
2 And therein have their mighty empire raised, 3 In antique times was savage wilderness,
antique > ancient
4 Unpeopled, unmanured, unproved, unpraised,
unmanured > unploughed, uncultivated
5 Nor was it island then, nor was it peised
peised > balanced; weighed down; weighed upon
6 Amid the ocean waves, nor was it sought 7 Of merchants far, for profits therein praised,
Of > By praised > valued, esteemed
8 But all was desolate, and of some thought
of > by some > [some of the chroniclers whom Spenser consulted]
9 By sea to have been from the Celtic mainland brought.
Celtic mainland > (Normandy and Brittany)
210.6
Ne did it then deserue a name to haue,
2 Till that the venturous Mariner that way
Learning his ship from those white rocks to saue,
4 Which all along the Southerne sea-coast lay,
Threatning vnheedie wrecke and rash decay,
6 For +safeties sake+ that same his sea-marke made,
And namd it Albion. But later day
8 Finding in it fit ports for fishers trade,
Gan more the same frequent, and further to inuade.
6 safeties sake > safety 1590 (trisyllabic)
1 Nor did it then deserve a name to have, 2 Till the venturous mariner that way, 3 Learning his ship from those white rocks to save,
white rocks > (Chalk cliffs, esp. in Dorset, Sussex and Kent)
4 Which all along the southern sea-coast lay, 5 Threatening unheedy wreck and rash decay,
unheedy > incautious, heedless decay > downfall, death
6 For safety's sake that same his sea-mark made, 7 And named it Albion. But later day
Albion > (England. The origin of the name is obscure. The idea that it derives from the Latin albus, white, and was given to England by Julius Caesar in allusion to the cliffs, is refuted by mention of "Albion" in De Mundo, a Greek treatise formerly attributed to Aristotle, written three hundred years before Caesar's invasion. The name is certainly very old) day > age; hence: people
8 Finding in it fit ports for fishers' trade, 9 Gan more the same frequent, and further to invade.
Gan > Did; began to invade > enter (SUS); hence: explore
210.7
But farre in land a saluage nation dwelt,
2 Of hideous Giants, and halfe beastly men,
That neuer tasted grace, nor goodnesse felt,
4 But like wild beasts lurking in loathsome den,
And flying fast as Roebucke through the fen,
6 All naked without shame, or care of cold,
By hunting and by spoiling liued then;
8 Of stature huge, and eke of courage bold,
That sonnes of men amazd their sternnesse to behold.
1 But far inland a savage nation dwelt, 2 Of hideous giants and half beastly men,
hideous > immense; odious; terrific
3 That never tasted grace, nor goodness felt, 4 But like wild beasts, lurking in loathsome den, 5 And flying fast as roebuck through the fen, 6 All naked without shame, or care of cold, 7 By hunting and by spoiling lived then;
spoiling > pillaging
8 Of stature huge, and eke of courage bold,
eke > moreover
9 That sons of men amazed, their sternness to behold.
amazed > confounded, astounded sternness > ferocity
210.8
But whence they sprong, or how they were begot,
2 Vneath is to assure; vneath to wene
That monstrous error, which doth some assot,
4 That Dioclesians fiftie daughters shene
Into this land by chaunce haue driuen bene,
6 Where companing with feends and filthy Sprights,
Through vaine illusion of their lust vnclene,
8 They brought forth Giants and such dreadfull wights,
As farre exceeded men in their immeasurd mights.
1 But whence they sprang, or how they were begotten, 2 Uneath is to assure; uneath to ween
Uneath > Difficult assure > establish; state positively; venture ween > believe, accept
3 That monstrous error, which does some assot,
assot > make a fool of; hence: deceive
4 That Diocletian's fifty daughters sheen
Diocletian > (Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, 245-313, Roman emperor 284-305; noted for his persecution of Christians. His thirty-three daughters, like the fifty daughters of Danaus, are said to have murdered their bridegrooms; except for Albine, from whom Albion derived. See also 105.35:9) sheen > beautiful
5 Into this land by chance have driven been, 6 Where, companying with fiends and filthy sprites,
companying > keeping company
7 Through vain illusion of their lust unclean,
Through vain illusion of > [Deluded by]
8 They brought forth giants, and such dreadful wights
wights > creatures
9 As far exceeded men in their immeasured mights.
immeasured > immense, vast mights > strengths, capacities
210.9
They held this land, and with their filthinesse
2 Polluted this same gentle soyle long time:
That their owne mother loathd their beastlinesse,
4 And gan abhorre her broods vnkindly crime,
All were they borne of her owne natiue slime;
6 Vntill that Brutus anciently deriu'd
From royall stocke of old +Assaracs+ line,
8 Driuen by fatall error, here arriu'd,
And them of their vniust possession depriu'd.
7 Assaracs > Assaraos 1596
1 They held this land, and with their filthiness
filthiness > obscenity, moral defilement
2 Polluted this same gentle soil long time:
gentle > noble
3 That their own mother loathed their beastliness,
That > [So that] their own mother > [the soil of Albion]
4 And gan abhor her brood's unkindly crime,
gan > began to; did unkindly > unnatural crime > sins (collectively)
5 All were they born of her own native slime;
All were they > [Although they were] slime > slime, soil; flesh (cf. 209.21)
6 Until Brutus (anciently derived 7 From royal stock of old Assaracus' line), 8 Driven by fatal error, here arrived,
fatal > predestined; fatal error > wandering (see Aen. 1.2, HRB 1.3-15, 309.48); error (in that he killed his father in a hunting accident and was subsequently banished from Italy: see HRB 1.3)
9 And them of their unjust possession deprived.
210.10
But ere he had established his throne,
2 And spred his empire to the vtmost shore,
He fought great battels with his saluage fone;
4 In which he them defeated euermore,
And many Giants left on groning flore;
6 That well can witnesse yet vnto this day
The westerne Hogh, besprincled with the gore
8 Of mightie Go{e"}mot, whom in stout fray
Corineus conquered, and cruelly did slay.
1 But ere he had established his throne, 2 And spread his empire to the utmost shore, 3 He fought great battles with his savage foes; 4 In which he them defeated evermore, 5 And many giants left on groaning floor; 6 That well can witness yet to this day 7 The western Hoe, besprinkled with the gore
Hoe > (Plymouth Hoe, in Devon)
8 Of mighty Go{e"}magot, whom in stout fray
Go{e"}magot > (One of the giants who held sway over Cornwall) stout > brave, robust
9 Corineus conquered, and cruelly did slay.
Corineus > (Former commander of the Trojan remnants who had accompanied Antenor (Aen. 1.241); joined company with Brutus in Etruria)
210.11
And eke that ample Pit, yet farre renownd,
2 For the large leape, which Debon did compell
Coulin to make, being eight lugs of grownd;
4 Into the which returning backe, he fell,
But those three monstrous stones doe most excell
6 Which that huge sonne of hideous Albion,
Whose father Hercules in Fraunce did quell,
8 Great Godmer threw, in fierce contention,
At bold Canutus; but of him was slaine anon.
1 And eke that ample pit, yet far renowned
eke > also yet > still, even now
2 For the large leap which Debon did compel
Debon > (Another of Brutus's heroes)
3 Coulin to make, being eight lugs of ground:
Coulin > (One of the giants) lug > {Pole: a measure of distance, 16 feet 6 inches, about 5 metres}
4 Into which, returning back, he fell; 5 But those, three monstrous stones do most excel,
But those > [But those two examples (i.e. the defeats of Go{e"}magot and Coulin)] most excel > [far surpass (as an example of notable defeat)]
6 Which that huge son of hideous Albion,
hideous > immense, terrific; odious Albion > (A giant slain by Hercules; distinct from "Albion" as a name for England)
7 (Whose father Hercules in France did quell)
quell > kill
8 Great Godmer, threw, in fierce contention,
Godmer > (Son of Albion)
9 At bold Canute; but of him was slain anon.
Canute > (Another of Brutus's champions) of > by anon > straightway
210.12
In meed of these great conquests by them got,
2 Corineus had +that+ Prouince vtmost west,
To him assigned for his worthy lot,
4 Which of his name and memorable gest
He called Cornewaile, yet so called best:
6 And Debons shayre was, that is Deuonshyre:
But Canute had his portion from the rest,
8 The which he cald Canutium, for his hyre;
Now Cantium, which Kent we commenly inquire.
2 that > the 1609
1 In meed of these great conquests by them got,
In meed of > As reward for
2 Corineus had that province utmost west 3 To him assigned for his worthy lot, 4 Which of his name and memorable gest
of > after, by virtue of gest > exploit
5 He called Cornewaile, yet so called best:
Cornewaile > Cornwall yet > still, even today called > pronounced
6 And Debon's share was that is Devonshire:
that > [that which]
7 But Canute had his portion from the rest,
from > apart from, away from (geographically, Kent lies in the SE corner of England); out of (since Cornwall and Devon form the SW peninsula of England)
8 Which he called Canutium, for his hire;
hire > reward
9 Now Cantium, which Kent we commonly inquire.
inquire > call (catachr.)
210.13
Thus Brute this Realme vnto his rule subdewd,
2 And raigned long in great felicitie,
Lou'd of his friends, and of his foes eschewd,
4 He left three sonnes, his famous progeny,
Borne of faire Inogene of Italy;
6 Mongst whom he parted his imperiall state,
And Locrine left chiefe Lord of Britany.
8 At last ripe age bad him surrender late
His life, and long good fortune vnto finall fate.
1 Thus Brutus this realm to his rule subdued, 2 And reigned long in great felicity, 3 Loved of his friends, and of his foes eschewed:
of > by
4 He left three sons, his famous progeny, 5 Borne of fair Inogene of Italy;
Inogene > (Or Ignoge; a native of Greece according to the sources)
6 Amongst whom he parted his imperial state,
parted > divided
7 And Locrin left chief lord of Britain.
Locrin > (Brutus's eldest son, also called Logris, king of Loegres,
Loegria or Logris, roughly corresponding to modern England)
8 At last ripe age bade him surrender late 9 His life and long good fortune to final fate.
210.14
Locrine was left the soueraine Lord of all;
2 But Albanact had all the Northrene part,
Which of himselfe Albania he did call;
4 And Camber did possesse the Westerne quart,
Which Seuerne now from Logris doth depart:
6 And each his portion peaceably enioyd,
Ne was there outward breach, nor grudge in hart,
8 That once their quiet gouernment annoyd,
But each his paines to others profit still employd.
1 Locrin was left the sovereign lord of all; 2 But Albanact had all the northern part,
all the northern part > [Scotland]
3 Which of himself Albania he did call;
of > after
4 And Camber did possess the western quart,
western quart > [Wales; quart = quarter, region: SU]
5 Which Severn now from Logris does depart:
Severn > (The River Severn, which rises in Montgomery and flows 158 miles to the sea, disemboguing into the Bristol Channel) Logris > England depart > divide, separate
6 And each his portion peaceably enjoyed, 7 Nor was there outward breach, nor grudge in heart, 8 That once their quiet government annoyed, 9 But each his pains to others' profit still employed.
pains > efforts still > ever, continuously
210.15
Vntill a nation straung, with visage swart,
2 And courage fierce, that all men did affray,
Which through the world then swarmd in euery part,
4 And ouerflow'd all countries farre away,
Like Noyes great flood, with their importune sway,
6 This land inuaded with like violence,
And did themselues through all the North display:
8 Vntill that Locrine for his Realmes defence,
Did head against them make, and strong +munifience+.
9 munifience > munificence 1590, 1609
1 Until a nation strange, with visage swart,
strange > foreign (they are the Huns) swart > swarthy
2 And courage fierce, that all men did affray,
affray > terrify
3 Which through the world then swarmed in every part, 4 And overflowed all countries far away, 5 Like Noah's great flood, with their importune sway,
importune > heavy, exacting, grievous sway > force
6 This land invaded with like violence,
like > similar
7 And did themselves through all the north display:
display > spread out
8 Until Locrin, for his realm's defence, 9 Did head against them make, and strong munifience.
head > headway; advance munifience > fortification, defence (WU)
210.16
He them encountred, a confused rout,
2 Foreby the Riuer, that whylome was hight
The auncient Abus, where with courage stout
4 He them defeated in victorious fight,
And chaste so fiercely after fearefull flight,
6 That forst their Chieftaine, for his safeties sake,
(Their Chieftaine Humber named was aright)
8 Vnto the mightie streame him to betake,
Where he an end of battell, and of life did make.
1 He them encountered, a confused rout, 2 Forby the river that whilom was hight
Forby > Hard by, near whilom > formerly hight > called (it is now called the River Humber)
3 The ancient Abus, where with courage stout
stout > bold, brave
4 He them defeated in victorious fight, 5 And chased so fiercely after fearful flight, 6 That forced their chieftain, for his safety's sake,
That > [That he (i.e. Locrin)]
7 (Their chieftain Humber named was aright) 8 To the mighty stream him to betake, 9 Where he an end of battle, and of life did make.
210.17
The king returned proud of victorie,
2 And insolent wox through vnwonted ease,
That shortly he forgot the ieopardie,
4 Which in his land he lately did appease,
And fell to vaine voluptuous disease:
6 He lou'd faire Ladie Estrild, lewdly lou'd,
Whose wanton pleasures him too much did please,
8 That quite his hart from Guendolene remou'd,
From Guendolene his wife, though alwaies faithfull prou'd.
1 The king returned proud of victory, 2 And insolent waxed through unwonted ease,
insolent waxed > grew arrogant unwonted > unaccustomed
3 That shortly he forgot the jeopardy
That > [So that]
4 Which in his land he lately did appease,
appease > check; assuage
5 And fell to vain voluptuous disease:
vain > foolish; idle; weak disease > dis-ease: trouble, strife
6 He loved fair Lady Estrildis, lewdly loved, 7 Whose wanton pleasures him too much did please, 8 That quite his heart from Guendolen removed,
That > [So that] removed > removed itself (refl.)
9 From Guendolen his wife, though always faithful proved.
210.18
The noble daughter of Corineus
2 Would not endure to be so vile disdaind,
But gathering force, and courage valorous,
4 Encountred him in battell well ordaind,
In which him vanquisht she to fly constraind:
6 But she so fast pursewd, that him she tooke,
And threw in bands, where he till death remaind;
8 Als his faire Leman, flying through a brooke,
She ouerhent, nought moued with her piteous looke.
1 The noble daughter of Corineus
The noble daughter of Corineus > [Guendolen]
2 Would not endure to be so vile disdained,
vile > vilely; despicably
3 But gathering force, and courage valorous, 4 Encountered him in battle well ordained,
ordained > drawn up
5 In which him, vanquished, she to fly constrained:
fly > flee constrained > compelled
6 But she so fast pursued, that him she took, 7 And threw in bonds, where he till death remained; 8 Als his fair leman, flying through a brook,
Als > Also; as, in the same way leman > lover [Estrildis]
9 She overhent, naught moved with her piteous look.
overhent > overtook; seized
210.19
But both her selfe, and eke her daughter deare,
2 Begotten by her kingly Paramoure,
The faire Sabrina almost dead with feare,
4 She there attached, farre from all succoure;
The one she slew +in that impatient stoure+,
6 But the sad virgin innocent of all,
Adowne the rolling riuer she did poure,
8 Which of her name now Seuerne men do call:
Such was the end, that to disloyall loue did fall.
5 in that impatient stoure > vpon the present floure 1590; i.e. without further ado: present = immediate; floure = floor
1 But both herself, and eke her daughter dear,
eke > also
2 Begotten by her kingly paramour, 3 The fair Sabrina, almost dead with fear,
Sabrina > (Or Sabre; she ultimately became the nymph of the Severn. See Drayton's Polyolbion and Fletcher's Faithful Shepherdess; and Comus 824 ff.)
4 She there attached, far from all succour;
attached > seized, laid hold of
5 The one she slew in that impatient stour,
stour > conflict, turmoil
6 But the sad virgin, innocent of all, 7 Adown the rolling river she did pour,
Adown > Down
8 Which of her name now Severn men do call:
of > by virtue of, in remembrance of Severn > (Via Sabrina, Savarina, Severn)
9 Such was the end that to disloyal love did fall.
disloyal > disloyal, faithless; also: illegal, ex-marital
210.20
Then for her sonne, which she to Locrin bore,
2 Madan was young, vnmeet the rule +to+ sway,
In her owne hand the crowne she kept in store,
4 Till ryper yeares he raught, and stronger stay:
During which time her powre she did display
6 Through all this realme, the glorie of her sex,
And first taught men a woman to obay:
8 But when her sonne to mans estate did wex,
She it surrendred, ne her selfe would lenger vex.
2 to > of 1596, 1609
1 Then for her son (whom she to Locrin bore),
for > because
2 Maddan, was young, unmeet the rule to sway,
unmeet > unfitted rule > dominion sway > govern
3 In her own hand the crown she kept in store, 4 Till riper years he raught, and stronger stay:
raught > reached, attained stay > staying power; self-control
5 During which time her power she did display
display > spread
6 Through all this realm, the glory of her sex, 7 And first taught men a woman to obey: 8 But when her son to man's estate did wax,
wax > grow
9 She it surrendered, nor herself would longer vex.
210.21
Tho Madan raignd, vnworthie of his race:
2 For with all shame that sacred throne he fild:
Next Memprise, as vnworthy of that place,
4 In which being consorted with Manild,
For thirst of single kingdome him he kild.
6 But Ebranck salued both their infamies
With noble deedes, and warreyd on Brunchild
8 In Henault, where yet of his victories
Braue moniments remaine, which yet that land enuies.
1 Tho Maddan reigned, unworthy of his race:
Tho > Then
2 For with all shame that sacred throne he fild:
fild > filled; or: defiled (cf. 105.32:2 etc.)
3 Next Mempricius, as unworthy of that place,
as > equally
4 In which being consorted with Manlius,
Manlius > (Or Malim, brother of Mempricius, son of Maddan)
5 For thirst of single kingdom him he killed.
single > [an undivided]
6 But Ebraucus salved both their infamies
Ebraucus > (Son of Mempricius) salved > remedied, made up for
7 With noble deeds, and warrayed on Brunchildis
warrayed > waged war Brunchildis > (Prince of Hainaut)
8 In Hainaut, where yet of his victories
Hainaut > (A province of Belgium) yet > still, even today
9 Brave monuments remain, which yet that land envies.
envies > {Feels a grudge against, resents}
210.22
An happie man in his first dayes he was,
2 And happie father of faire progeny:
For all so many weekes as the yeare has,
4 So many children he did multiply;
Of which were twentie sonnes, which did +apply,+
6 Their minds to praise, and cheualrous desire:
Those germans did subdew all Germany,
8 Of whom it hight; but in the end their Sire
With foule repulse from Fraunce was forced to retire.
5 apply, > apply 1609
1 A happy man in his first days he was,
happy > happy; fortunate
2 And happy father of fair progeny: 3 For all so many weeks as the year has,
all so > just as
4 So many children he did multiply; 5 Of which were twenty sons, which did apply 6 Their minds to praise, and chivalrous desire:
praise > virtue; praiseworthy acts
7 Those germans did subdue all Germany,
germans > brothers
8 Of whom it hight; but in the end their sire
Of > After hight > is called sire > father
9 With foul repulse from France was forced to retire.
210.23
Which blot his sonne succeeding in his seat,
2 The second Brute, the second both in name,
And eke in semblance of his puissance great,
4 Right well recur'd, and did away that blame
With recompence of euerlasting fame.
6 He with his victour sword first +opened,+
The bowels of wide Fraunce, a forlorne Dame,
8 And taught her first how to be conquered;
Since which, with sundrie spoiles she hath beene ransacked.
6 opened, > opened 1609
1 Which blot his son (succeeding in his seat, 2 The second Brutus, the second both in name
Brutus > (Surnamed "Greenshield")
3 And eke in semblance of his puissance great)
eke > also puissance > power, strength
4 Right well recured, and did away that blame
Right well > Very well, thoroughly recured > remedied
5 With recompense of everlasting fame. 6 He with his victor sword first opened 7 The bowels of wide France, a forlorn dame, 8 And taught her first how to be conquered; 9 Since which, with sundry spoils she has been ransacked.
spoils > {Acts of pillage}
210.24
Let Scaldis tell, and let tell Hania,
2 And let the marsh of Estham bruges tell,
What colour were their waters that same day,
4 And all the moore twixt Eluersham and Dell,
With bloud of Henalois, which therein fell.
6 How oft that day did sad Brunchildis see
The greene shield dyde in dolorous vermell?
8 That not +Scuith guiridh+ +it+ mote seeme to +bee,+
But +rather y Scuith gogh, signe of sad crueltee+.
8 Scuith guiridh > omitted from 1590 8 it > he 1590 8 bee, > bee. 1596 9 rather y Scuith gogh, signe of sad crueltee > omitted from 1590; But Seuith Scuith FE
1 Let Scaldis tell, and let tell Haina,
Scaldis > (The River Schelde, which rises in NE France, crosses
Belgium, and in the Netherlands flows into the North Sea; length
c. 270 miles)
Haina > (The River Haina)
2 And let the marsh of Estham Bruges tell,
Estham Bruges > (Bruges; Brutus's camp)
3 What colour were their waters that same day, 4 And all the moor 'twixt Elversham and Dell,
moor > marsh; flood-plain; heath Elversham and Dell > (Not identifiable)
5 With blood of Henalois which therein fell.
Henalois > (The men of Hainaut)
6 How oft that day did sad Brunchildis see 7 The green shield dyed in dolorous vermilion?
in > [with]
8 That not Scuith guiridh it might seem to be,
That > [So that] Scuith guiridh > Green Shield (Welsh, referring to his surname: cf. 210.23:2)
9 But rather y Scuith gogh, sign of sad cruelty.
y Scuith gogh > Red Shield (Welsh) sign > emblem; banner, standard sad > sad; heavy, grievous
210.25
His sonne king Leill by fathers labour long,
2 Enioyd an heritage of lasting peace,
And built Cairleill, and built Cairleon strong.
4 Next Huddibras his realme did not encrease,
But taught the land from wearie warres to cease.
6 Whose footsteps Bladud following, in arts
Exceld at Athens all the learned preace,
8 From whence he brought them to these saluage parts,
And with sweet science mollifide their stubborne harts.
1 His son, King Leill (by father's labour long),
by > [by virtue of, as a result of]
2 Enjoyed a heritage of lasting peace, 3 And built Carlisle, and built Caer-lion strong.
Caer-lion > Caerleon-upon-Usk strong > (Adj. or adv.)
4 Next Huddibras his realm did not increase, 5 But taught the land from weary wars to cease. 6 Whose footsteps Bladud following, in arts 7 Excelled at Athens all the learned press,
Excelled > Surpassed press > company, throng
8 From whence he brought them to these savage parts,
them > [the "arts"] savage > wild; savage
9 And with sweet science mollified their stubborn hearts.
science > learning, knowledge; skill; hence: magic, occult powers their > [the Britons']
210.26
Ensample of his wondrous faculty,
2 Behold the boyling Bathes at Cairbadon,
Which seeth with secret fire eternally,
4 And in their entrails, full of quicke Brimston,
Nourish the flames, which they are warm'd vpon,
6 That to +their+ people wealth they forth do well,
And health to euery forreine nation:
8 Yet he at last contending to excell
The reach of men, through flight into fond mischief fell.
6 their > her 1590 etc.: FE
1 Example of his wondrous faculty,
Example > [As an example of] faculty > [occult powers]
2 Behold the boiling baths at Caer-badus,
Caer-badus > (Bath, in the present county of Avon)
3 Which seethe with secret fire eternally,
secret > hidden
4 And in their entrails, full of quick brimstone,
entrails > inner parts quick > burning, burning strongly; living
5 Nourish the flames which they are warmed upon, 6 That to their people wealth they forth do well,
That > [So that] wealth > well-being
7 And health to every foreign nation: 8 Yet he at last, contending to excel
contending > striving
9 The reach of men, through flight into fond mischief fell.
reach > natural capacities flight > (At Trinovantum, with artificial wings; Bladud's magic was not quite up to this and he crashed into the temple of Apollo, with terminal results) fond > foolish mischief > disaster
210.27
Next him king Leyr in happie peace long raind,
2 But had no issue male him to succeed,
But three faire daughters, which were well vptraind,
4 In all that seemed fit for kingly seed:
Mongst whom his realme he equally decreed
6 To haue diuided. Tho when feeble age
Nigh to his vtmost date he saw proceed,
8 He cald his daughters; and with speeches sage
Inquyrd, which of them most did loue her parentage.
1 Next him King Lear in happy peace long reigned,
Next > After, immediately after Lear > (Also known as Leir or Leyr. The son of Bladud, builder of Caer-leir (i.e. Learchester, the modern Leicester; see note on Colchester at 210.58:9). The story of Lear and his daughters is a Buddhist parable of great antiquity) happy > happy; fortunate
2 But had no issue male him to succeed,
issue male > [sons]
3 But three fair daughters, who were well uptrained
uptrained > trained, inculcated
4 In all that seemed fit for kingly seed:
seed > children, offspring
5 Amongst whom his realm he equally decreed 6 To have divided. Tho when feeble age
Tho > Then
7 Nigh to his utmost date he saw proceed,
date > term, span of life
8 He called his daughters; and with speeches sage 9 Inquired which of them most did love her parentage.
parentage > parents; hence: father
210.28
The eldest +Gonorill+ gan to protest,
2 That she much more then her owne life him lou'd:
And Regan greater loue to him profest,
4 Then all the world, when euer it were proou'd;
But Cordeill said she lou'd him, as behoou'd:
6 Whose simple answere, wanting colours faire
To paint it forth, him to displeasance moou'd,
8 That in his crowne he counted her no haire,
But twixt the other twaine his kingdome whole did shaire.
1 Gonorill > Gonerill 1590
1 The eldest, Goneril, began to protest 2 That she much more than her own life him loved: 3 And Regan greater love to him professed 4 Than all the world, whenever it were proved;
it were proved > [her love should be put to the test]
5 But Cordelia said she loved him, as behoved:
as behoved > as was fitting (that is, filially)
6 Whose simple answer, wanting colours fair 7 To paint it forth, him to displeasance moved,
displeasance > displeasure, annoyance
8 That in his crown he counted her no heir,
That > [So that]
9 But 'twixt the other twain his kingdom whole did share.
twain > two
210.29
So wedded th'one to Maglan king of Scots,
2 And th'other to the king of Cambria,
And twixt them shayrd his realme by equall lots:
4 But without dowre the wise +Cordelia,+
Was sent to Aganip of Celtica.
6 Their aged Syre, thus eased of his crowne,
A priuate life led in Albania,
8 With Gonorill, long had in great renowne,
That nought him grieu'd to bene from rule deposed downe.
4 Cordelia, > Cordelia 1609
1 So wedded the one to Maglaunus, king of Scots,
the one > [Goneril]
2 And the other to the king of Cambria,
the other > [Regan] Cambria > Wales (Cornwall, according to HRB 2.12)
3 And 'twixt them shared his realm by equal lots: 4 But, without dower, the wise Cordelia 5 Was sent to Aganippus of Celtica.
Celtica > (The central division of Transalpine Gaul; i.e. France)
6 Their aged sire, thus eased of his crown,
sire > father eased > relieved
7 A private life led in Albania,
Albania > Scotland
8 With Goneril, long had in great renown,
long had > (That is, the crown)
9 That naught him grieved to been from rule deposed down.
That naught > [So that not at all] been > [have been; be]
210.30
But true it is, that when the oyle is spent,
2 The light goes out, and +weeke+ is throwne away;
So when he had resignd his regiment,
4 His daughter gan despise his drouping day,
And wearie +waxe+ of his continuall stay.
6 Tho to his daughter +Rigan+ he repayrd,
Who him at first well vsed euery way;
8 But when of his departure she despayrd,
Her bountie she abated, and his cheare empayrd.
2 weeke > wike 1609 5 waxe > wox 1609 6 Rigan > Regan 1590
1 But true it is that when the oil is spent 2 The light goes out, and wick is thrown away; 3 So when he had resigned his regiment,
regiment > rule, royal authority; kingdom
4 His daughter gan despise his drooping day,
gan > did; began to drooping > declining, fading
5 And weary wax of his continual stay.
wax > grow, become
6 Tho to his daughter Regan he repaired,
Tho > Then repaired > went
7 Who him at first well used every way; 8 But when of his departure she despaired, 9 Her bounty she abated, and his cheer impaired.
cheer > mood, gladness; countenance, expression; also: hospitable reception; also: viands, food (a fine example of Spenser's talent for finding le mot juste)
210.31
The wretched man gan then auise too late,
2 That loue is not, where most it is profest,
Too truely tryde in his extreamest state;
4 At last resolu'd likewise to proue the rest,
He to Cordelia him selfe addrest,
6 Who with entire affection him receau'd,
As for her Syre and king her seemed best;
8 And after all an army strong she leau'd,
To war on those, which him had of his realme bereau'd.
1 The wretched man gan then advise, too late,
gan > did advise > perceive; reflect
2 That love is not where most it is professed: 3 Too truly tried in his extremest state;
tried > proved, demonstrated
4 At last, resolved likewise to prove the rest,
prove > try; test rest > remainder (i.e. his remaining daughter)
5 He to Cordelia himself addressed,
himself addressed > betook himself, went
6 Who with entire affection him received,
entire > unreserved, wholly devoted
7 As for her sire and king her seemed best;
As > [In the manner that] sire > father her > [to her]
8 And after all an army strong she leaved,
after all > afterwards; next; later leaved > levied, mustered (via French lever: WU)
9 To war on those who him had of his realm bereaved.
bereaved > robbed
210.32
So to his crowne she him restor'd againe,
2 In which he dyde, made ripe for death by eld,
And after wild, it should to her remaine:
4 Who peaceably the same long time did weld:
And all mens harts in dew obedience held:
6 Till that her sisters children, woxen strong
Through proud ambition, against her rebeld,
8 And ouercommen kept in prison long,
Till wearie of that wretched life, her selfe she hong.
1 So to his crown she him restored again,
crown > rule, kingdom again > (Pleonastic)
2 In which he died, made ripe for death by eld,
eld > old age
3 And after willed it should to her remain:
it > [that the crown] remain > continue to belong
4 Who peaceably the same long time did wield:
wield > command, govern
5 And all men's hearts in due obedience held:
due > fitting
6 Till her sisters' children, waxed strong
waxed > grown
7 Through proud ambition, against her rebelled, 8 And overcome kept in prison long,
overcome > [Cordelia, overcome,]
9 Till, weary of that wretched life, herself she hanged.
210.33
Then gan the bloudie brethren both to raine:
2 But fierce Cundah gan shortly to enuie
His brother Morgan, prickt with proud disdaine,
4 To haue a pere in part of soueraintie,
And kindling coles of cruell enmitie,
6 Raisd warre, and him in battell ouerthrew:
Whence as he to those woodie hils did flie,
8 Which hight of him Glamorgan, there him slew:
Then did he raigne alone, when he none equall knew.
1 Then began the bloody brethren both to reign: 2 But fierce Cunedagius began shortly to envy
Cunedagius > (Son of Regan) envy > resent
3 His brother Morgan, pricked with proud disdain,
brother > cousin, kinsman Morgan > (Son of Goneril) disdain > indignation
4 To have a peer in part of sovereignty,
peer > rival part > [the] function, office, business; hence: discharge sovereignty > royal authority
5 And, kindling coals of cruel enmity, 6 Raised war, and him in battle overthrew: 7 Whence, as he to those woody hills did fly
fly > flee
8 (Which hight of him Glamorgan), there him slew:
hight of > were named after Glamorgan > [Glen of Morgan]
9 Then did he reign alone, when he none equal knew.
equal > [equal to him]
210.34
His sonne +Riuallo+ his dead roome did supply,
2 In whose sad time bloud did from heauen raine:
Next great Gurgustus, then faire C{ae}cily
4 In constant peace their kingdomes did containe,
After whom Lago, and Kinmarke did raine,
6 And Gorbogud, till farre in yeares he grew:
+Till+ his ambitious sonnes vnto them twaine,
8 Arraught the rule, and from their father drew,
Stout Ferrex and sterne Porrex him in prison threw.
1 Riuallo > Riuall' 1590; Rivall' 1609 7 Till > Then 1590; When 1609