4 Ought your remembrance, and perpetual band
band > [binding quality or power]
5 Be to your foster child, that from your hand
Be > [To be] foster child > (As opposed to the original giants, who were sons of the land)
6 Did common breath and nouriture receive?
nouriture > nurture
7 How brutish is it not to understand 8 How much to her we owe, that all us gave,
her > [Britain]
9 That gave to us all, whatever good we have!"
210.70
But Guyon all this while his booke did read,
2 Ne yet has ended: for it was a great
And ample volume, that doth far excead
4 My leasure, so long leaues here to repeat:
It told, how first Prometheus did create
6 A man, of many partes from beasts deriued
And then stole fire from heauen, to animate
8 His worke, for which he was by Ioue depriued
Of life him selfe, and hart-strings of an {AE}gle riued.
1 But Guyon all this while his book did read, 2 Nor yet has ended: for it was a great 3 And ample volume, that does far exceed 4 My leisure, so long leaves here to repeat:
so > such leaves > pages repeat > reproduce
5 It told, how first Prometheus did create
Prometheus > (Whose name means "Forethought": he stole fire from heaven in a hollow tube, and taught mortals how to use it. In one legend, he is said to have created man out of earth and water, and to have bestowed on him a portion of the characteristics possessed by all the other animals. See Odes I 16.13-16, Met. 1.82)
6 A man, of many parts from beasts derived, 7 And then stole fire from heaven, to animate 8 His work, for which he was by Jove deprived 9 Of life himself, and heartstrings of an eagle rived.
heartstrings > {Tendons or nerves supporting the heart; in citing the heart rather than the liver, Spenser follows Cooper (1565)} of > by rived > torn (perpetually: as part of his punishment, Prometheus was chained to a rock on Mount Caucasus, where each day an eagle consumed his liver, which was then restored overnight. The eagle was eventually killed, and Prometheus rescued, by Hercules)
210.71
That man so made, he called Elfe, to weet
2 Quick, the first authour of all Elfin kind:
Who wandring through the world with wearie feet,
4 Did in the gardins of Adonis find
A goodly creature, whom he deemd in mind
6 To be no earthly wight, but either Spright,
Or Angell, th'authour of all woman kind;
8 Therefore a Fay he her according hight,
Of whom all Faeryes spring, and fetch their lignage right.
1 That man so made, he called Elf, to wit 2 Quick, the first author of all Elfin kind:
Quick > Alive (the derivation is the poet's) author > ancestor, forefather
3 Who, wandering through the world with weary feet, 4 Did in the Gardens of Adonis find
Gardens of Adonis > (See 306.29 ff.)
5 A goodly creature, whom he deemed in mind
goodly > beautiful
6 To be no earthly wight, but either sprite
wight > mortal, woman
7 Or angel, the author of all womankind; 8 Therefore a fay he her according hight,
fay > fairy according hight > accordingly called
9 Of whom all Faeries spring, and fetch their lineage right.
Of > From fetch > derive right > directly; in a straight line; correctly
210.72
Of these a mightie people shortly grew,
2 And puissaunt kings, which all the world warrayd,
And to them selues all Nations did subdew:
4 The first and eldest, which that scepter swayd,
Was Elfin; him all India obayd,
6 And all that now America men call:
Next him was noble Elfinan, who layd
8 Cleopolis foundation first of all:
But Elfiline enclosd it with a golden wall.
1 Of these a mighty people shortly grew,
Of > From
2 And puissant kings, which all the world warrayed,
puissant > powerful warrayed > ravaged by war
3 And to themselves all nations did subdue: 4 The first and eldest which that sceptre swayed
eldest > earliest, most ancient swayed > wielded; brandished
5 Was Elfin; him all India obeyed, 6 And all that now America men call: 7 Next him was noble Elfinan, who laid
Next > After, immediately after (chronologically or in importance)
8 Cleopolis' foundation first of all:
Cleopolis > "City of Glorious Fame" (Greek; allegorically, London)
9 But Elfiline enclosed it with a golden wall.
210.73
His sonne was Elfinell, who ouercame
2 The wicked Gobbelines in bloudy field:
But Elfant was of most renowmed fame,
4 Who all of Christall did Panthea build:
Then Elfar, who two brethren gyants kild,
6 The one of which had two heads, th'other three:
Then Elfinor, who was in Magick skild;
8 He built by art vpon the glassy See
A bridge of bras, whose sound heauens thunder seem'd to +bee.+
9 bee. > bee 1596
1 His son was Elfinell, who overcame 2 The wicked Gobbelines in bloody field:
Gobbelines > (See SC, gloss to "June") field > battle, field of battle
3 But Elfant was of most renowned fame, 4 Who all of crystal did Panthea build:
Panthea > "All Sights", "Totality of Visions" (Greek, meaning
"Nonesuch", "Nonpareil". Possibly identifiable as Westminster
Abbey or the Queen's Palace of Richmond)
5 Then Elfar, who two brethren giants killed, 6 One of which had two heads, the other three: 7 Then Elfinor, who was in magic skilled; 8 He built by art upon the glassy sea
glassy sea > [River Thames]
9 A bridge of brass, whose sound heaven's thunder seemed to be.
whose sound > (?The sound of the river; or: ?the sound of hoofs passing over the bridge. The allegory is unclear)
210.74
He left three sonnes, the which in order raynd,
2 And all their Ofspring, in their dew descents,
Euen seuen hundred Princes, which maintaynd
4 With mightie deedes their sundry gouernments;
That were too long their infinite contents
6 Here to record, ne much materiall:
Yet should they be most famous moniments,
8 And braue ensample, both of martiall,
And ciuill rule to kings and states imperiall.
1 He left three sons, who in order reigned, 2 And all their offspring, in their due descents, 3 Even seven hundred princes, who maintained
maintained > defended, upheld
4 With mighty deeds their sundry governments;
sundry > various
5 That were too long, their infinite contents 6 Here to record, nor much material:
material > of consequence, important
7 Yet should they be most famous monuments 8 And brave example, both of martial
brave > splendid example > example; model
9 And civil rule, to kings and states imperial.
210.75
After all these Elficleos did rayne,
2 The wise Elficleos in great Maiestie,
Who mightily that scepter did sustayne,
4 And with rich spoiles and famous victorie,
Did high aduaunce the crowne of Faery:
6 He left two sonnes, of which faire Elferon
The eldest brother did vntimely dy;
8 Whose emptie place the mightie Oberon
Doubly supplide, in spousall, and dominion.
1 After all these Elficleos did reign, 2 The wise Elficleos in great majesty, 3 Who mightily that sceptre did sustain, 4 And with rich spoils and famous victory, 5 Did high advance the crown of Faery:
crown > rule
6 He left two sons, of which fair Elferon 7 (The elder brother) did untimely die; 8 Whose empty place the mighty Oberon
Oberon > (He first appears in the 13th-century romance Huon de Bordeaux, and later in A Midsummer-night's Dream. As the reputed son of Julius Caesar and Morgan le Fay, King Oberon provides the link between the classical world and Arthur's line. Elizabeth's conflation with Gloriana is thus rendered complete)
9 Doubly supplied, in spousal and dominion.
supplied > filled spousal > espousal, wedlock
210.76
Great was his power and glorie ouer all,
2 Which him before, that sacred seate did fill,
That yet remaines his wide memoriall:
4 He dying left the fairest Tanaquill,
Him to succeede therein, by his last will:
6 Fairer and nobler liueth none this howre,
Ne like in grace, ne like in learned skill;
8 Therefore they Glorian call that glorious flowre,
Long mayst thou Glorian liue, in glory and great powre.
1 Great was his power and glory over all
over > [compared with; superior to]
2 Who him before that sacred seat did fill,
him before > [before him] sacred > {An epithet of royalty; also, here, specifically because Oberon's lineage could be traced back to a supernatural being; cf. 210.36:1}
3 That yet remains his wide memorial: 4 He, dying, left the fairest Tanaquil
Tanaquil > (Historically, Caia Tanaquil, wife of Tarquinius Priscus, 5th King of Rome (- 577 BC); an exemplary queen, taken as the type for Gloriana as the Faery Queen. Hence, allegorically: Elizabeth, so that Oberon becomes identifiable with Henry VIII and Elficleos with Henry VII)
5 Him to succeed therein, by his last will: 6 Fairer and nobler lives none this hour, 7 Neither like in grace, nor like in learned skill;
like > comparable
8 Therefore they Gloriana call that glorious flower, 9 Long may you, Gloriana, live, in glory and great power.
210.77
Beguild thus with delight of nouelties,
2 And naturall desire of countreys state,
So long they red in those antiquities,
4 That how the time was fled, they quite forgate,
Till +gentle+ Alma seeing it so late,
6 Perforce their studies broke, and them besought
To thinke, how supper did them long awaite.
8 So halfe vnwilling from their bookes them brought,
And fairely feasted, as so +noble+ knights she ought.
5 gentle > geutle 1596 9 noble > nobles 1596
1 Beguiled thus with delight of novelties, 2 And natural desire of countries' state,
desire of > ?desire to learn of; ?interest in
3 So long they read in those antiquities,
antiquities > ancient records
4 That how the time was fled, they quite forgot, 5 Till gentle Alma, seeing it so late,
gentle > noble; gentle
6 Perforce their studies broke, and them besought
Perforce > Forcibly
7 To think how supper did them long await. 8 So, half unwilling, from their books them brought,
them > [she them]
9 And fairly feasted, as so noble knights she ought.
fairly > courteously; well, becomingly so > such ought > ought [to have done]; owed
CANTO XI
The enimies of Temperaunce
2 besiege her dwelling place:
Prince Arthur them repelles, and fowle
4 Maleger doth deface.
1 The enemies of Temperance
Temperance > [Alma, of the House of Temperance, i.e. the human frame: see 209.0:1]
2 besiege her dwelling-place: 3 Prince Arthur them repels, and foul 4 Maleger does deface.
Maleger > "Sick and Evil" (Latin malus, bad, wicked, villainous, unwell; aeger, sick, unwell, unsound) deface > destroy
211.1
WHat warre so cruell, or what siege so sore,
2 As that, which strong affections do apply
Against the fort of reason euermore
4 To bring the soule into captiuitie:
Their force is fiercer through infirmitie
6 Of the fraile flesh, relenting to their rage,
And exercise most bitter tyranny
8 Vpon the parts, brought into their bondage:
No wretchednesse is like to sinfull vellenage.
1 What war so cruel, or what siege so sore,
sore > grievous
2 As that which strong affections do apply
affections > emotions (esp. strong emotions, as passion, lust, etc.) apply > bring to bear
3 Against the fort of reason evermore 4 To bring the soul into captivity? 5 Their force is fiercer through infirmity 6 Of the frail flesh, relenting to their rage,
frail > frail, weak; morally weak relenting > yielding; softening; melting
7 And exercise most bitter tyranny 8 Upon the parts, brought into their bondage:
parts > abilities, capacities; will, will-power (a sly reference to "private parts" may also be intended: cf. 202.37:5)
9 No wretchedness is like sinful villeinage.
villeinage > servitude, bondage, complete subjection
211.2
But in a body, which doth freely yeeld
2 His partes to reasons rule obedient,
And letteth her that ought the scepter weeld,
4 All happy peace and goodly gouernment
Is setled there in sure establishment;
6 There Alma like a virgin Queene most bright,
Doth florish in all beautie excellent:
8 And to her guestes doth bounteous banket dight,
Attempred goodly well for health and +for+ delight.
9 for > omitted from 1596
1 But in a body which does freely yield 2 Its parts to reason's rule obedient,
parts > (As in preceding stanza)
3 And let her that ought the sceptre wield,
let > [does let]
4 All happy peace and goodly government 5 Is settled there in sure establishment; 6 There Alma, like a virgin queen most bright,
bright > fair
7 Does flourish in all beauty excellent: 8 And to her guests does bounteous banquet dight,
dight > prepare; hence: serve
9 Attempered goodly well for health and for delight.
Attempered > Regulated; tempered, moderated health > {Spiritual and moral as well as physical well-being}
211.3
Early before the Morne with cremosin ray,
2 The windowes of bright heauen opened had,
Through which into the world the dawning day
4 Might looke, that maketh euery creature glad,
Vprose Sir Guyon, in bright armour clad,
6 And to his purposd iourney him prepar'd:
With him the Palmer eke in habit sad,
8 Him selfe addrest to that aduenture hard:
So to the riuers side they both together far'd.
1 Early, before the morn with crimson ray 2 The windows of bright heaven opened had 3 (Through which into the world the dawning day 4 Might look, that makes every creature glad), 5 Uprose Sir Guyon, in bright armour clad, 6 And to his purposed journey him prepared: 7 With him the palmer eke in habit sad,
the palmer > (Guyon's mentor: see 201.7 ff.) eke > also sad > sober, dark-coloured (his clothes are black)
8 Himself addressed to that adventure hard: 9 So to the river's side they both together fared.
211.4
Where them awaited ready at the ford
2 The Ferriman, as Alma had behight,
With his well rigged boate: They go abord,
4 And +he+ eftsoones gan launch his barke forthright.
Ere long they rowed were quite out of sight,
6 And fast the land behind them fled away.
But let them pas, whiles wind and weather right
8 Do serue their turnes: here I a while must stay,
To see a cruell fight doen by the Prince this day.
4 he > omitted from 1596
1 Where them awaited ready at the ford
ford > stream, current
2 The ferryman, as Alma had behight,
behight > promised; (catachr.) ordained
3 With his well rigged boat: they go aboard, 4 And he eftsoons gan launch his bark forthright.
eftsoons > thereupon gan > did bark > vessel
5 Ere long they rowed were quite out of sight, 6 And fast the land behind them fled away. 7 But let them pass, while wind and weather right 8 Do serve their turns: here I awhile must stay, 9 To see a cruel fight done by the prince this day.
211.5
For all so soone, as Guyon thence was gon
2 Vpon his voyage with his trustie guide,
That wicked band of villeins fresh begon
4 That castle to assaile on euery side,
And lay strong siege about it far and wide.
6 So huge and infinite their numbers were,
That all the land they vnder them did hide;
8 So fowle and vgly, that exceeding feare
Their visages imprest, when they approched neare.
1 For all so soon as Guyon thence was gone 2 Upon his voyage with his trusty guide, 3 That wicked band of villeins fresh began
villein > villain; serf (cf. 209.13:2)
4 That castle to assail on every side, 5 And lay strong siege about it far and wide. 6 So huge and infinite their numbers were, 7 That all the land they under them did hide; 8 So foul and ugly, that exceeding fear 9 Their visages impressed, when they approached near.
impressed > [impressed on the mind]
211.6
Them in twelue troupes their Captain did dispart
2 And round about in fittest steades did place,
Where each might best offend his proper part,
4 And his contrary obiect most deface,
As euery one seem'd meetest in that cace.
6 Seuen of the same against the Castle gate,
In strong entrenchments he did closely place,
8 Which with incessaunt force and endlesse hate,
They battred day and night, and entraunce did awate.
1 Them in twelve troops their captain did dispart
dispart > distribute; divide
2 And round about in fittest steads did place,
steads > places, positions
3 Where each might best offend his proper part,
offend > attack, damage; do harm to proper > own, individual, peculiar
4 And his contrary object most deface,
contrary > opposed, opposite; hence: appointed deface > mar, disfigure; lay waste
5 As every one seemed meetest in that case.
meetest > most suitable
6 Seven of the same against the castle gate,
castle gate > [mouth: see 209.23 ff.]
7 In strong entrenchments, he did closely place,
closely > secretly
8 Which with incessant force and endless hate 9 They battered day and night, and entrance did await.
211.7
The other fiue, fiue sundry wayes he set,
2 Against the fiue great Bulwarkes of that +pile,+
And vnto each a Bulwarke did arret,
4 T'assayle with open force or hidden guile,
In hope thereof to win victorious spoile.
6 They all that charge did feruently apply,
With greedie malice and importune toyle,
8 And planted there their huge artillery,
With which they dayly made most dreadfull battery.
2 pile, > pile. 1596
1 The other five, five sundry ways he set,
sundry > different
2 Against the five great bulwarks of that pile,
five great bulwarks > [five senses] pile > {Collection of lofty buildings, large building, castle}
3 And to each a bulwark did arrest,
arrest > ordain, entrust
4 To assail with open force or hidden guile, 5 In hope thereof to win victorious spoil. 6 They all that charge did fervently apply, 7 With greedy malice and importune toil,
greedy > eager, reckless importune > persistent, importunate
8 And planted there their huge artillery, 9 With which they daily made most dreadful battery.
battery > {Assault with many blows or missiles}
211.8
The first troupe was a monstrous rablement
2 Of fowle misshapen wights, of which some were
Headed like Owles, with +beckes+ vncomely bent,
4 Others like Dogs, others like Gryphons dreare,
And some had wings, and some had clawes to teare,
6 And euery one of them had Lynces eyes,
And euery one did bow and arrowes beare:
8 All those were lawlesse lustes, corrupt enuies,
And couetous aspectes, all cruell enimies.
3 beckes > beakes 1609
1 The first troop was a monstrous rabblement
monstrous > unnatural; malformed; monstrous rabblement > rabble
2 Of foul misshapen wights, of which some were
wights > creatures
3 Headed like owls, with becks uncomely bent,
becks > backs; or: beaks
4 Others like dogs, others like griffins drear,
griffin > {Monster with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, believed by the Greeks to guard the Scythian gold; traditionally watchful and perseverant} drear > dreary, dreadful, horrid
5 And some had wings, and some had claws to tear, 6 And every one of them had lynx's eyes,
lynx > (Proverbially keen-sighted)
7 And every one did bow and arrows bear: 8 All those were lawless lusts, corrupt envies, 9 And covetous aspects, all cruel enemies.
aspects > glances, looks, gazes
211.9
Those same against the bulwarke of the Sight
2 Did lay strong siege, and battailous assault,
Ne once did yield it respit day nor night,
4 But soone as Titan gan his head +exault,+
And soone againe as he his light with hault,
6 Their wicked engins they against it bent:
That is each thing, by which the eyes may fault,
8 But two then all more huge and violent,
Beautie, and money, +they that Bulwarke sorely rent+.
4 exault, > exault. 1596 9 they that Bulwarke sorely rent > they against that Bulwarke lent 1590
1 Those same against the bulwark of the sight 2 Did lay strong siege, and battailous assault,
battailous > warlike, ready for battle
3 Nor once did yield it respite day nor night, 4 But soon as Titan gan his head exalt,
soon > [as soon] gan > did; began to exalt > raise [at dawn]
5 And soon again as he his light withheld,
soon > [as soon]
6 Their wicked engines they against it bent:
engines > engines of destruction, missiles; siege-engines; snares, deceptions bent > directed, brought to bear
7 That is, each thing by which the eyes may fault,
fault > err, sin
8 But two than all more huge and violent, 9 Beauty, and money, they that bulwark sorely rent.
rent > tore, broke, burst
211.10
The second Bulwarke was the Hearing sence,
2 Gainst which the second troupe +dessignment+ makes;
Deformed creatures, in straunge difference,
4 Some hauing heads like Harts, some like to Snakes,
Some like wild Bores late rouzd out of the brakes;
6 Slaunderous reproches, and fowle infamies,
Leasings, backbytings, and vaine-glorious crakes,
8 Bad counsels, prayses, and false flatteries.
All those against that fort did bend their batteries.
2 dessignment > assignment 1590
1 The second bulwark was the hearing sense, 2 Against which the second troop designment makes;
designment > design, scheming, contrivance
3 Deformed creatures, in strange difference, 4 Some having heads like harts', some like snakes', 5 Some like wild boars', late roused out of the brakes;
late > lately brakes > bracken, ferns; brushwood
6 Slanderous reproaches, and foul infamies, 7 Leasings, backbitings, and vainglorious crakes,
Leasings > Lies crakes > boasts
8 Bad counsels, praises, and false flatteries: 9 All those against that fort did bend their batteries.
bend > apply, direct batteries > {Assaults, assaults with many blows; artillery}
211.11
Likewise that same third Fort, that is the Smell
2 Of that third troupe was cruelly assayd:
Whose hideous shapes were like to feends of hell,
4 Some like to hounds, some like to +Apes, dismayd+,
Some like to Puttockes, all in plumes arayd:
6 All shap't according their conditions,
For by those vgly formes weren pourtrayd,
8 Foolish delights and fond abusions,
Which do that sence besiege with light illusions.
4 Apes, dismayd > Apes mismayd _(i.e. "mis-made") conj. Jortin. Church suggests that dismayd = "dismayed" and that _Some like to hounds, some like to Apes, _should be read parenthetically, so that dismayd, or mismayd, refers to the feends of hell; cf. 303.50:3_
1 Likewise that same third fort (that is, the smell) 2 Of that third troop was cruelly assayed:
Of > By assayed > assaulted; put to the test; attempted
3 Whose hideous shapes were like to fiends of hell,
were like to > resembled
4 Some like to hounds, some like to apes dismade,
dismade > ?mismade (see Textual Appendix)
5 Some like to puttocks', all in plumes arrayed:
puttock > kite (a carrion-eating bird of prey, Milvus milvus, formerly common in England)
6 All shaped according their conditions,
their conditions > [to their natures (i.e. to their allegorical roles)]
7 For by those ugly forms were portrayed 8 Foolish delights and fond abusions,
fond > foolish abusions > perversions (esp. of the truth)
9 Which do that sense besiege with light illusions.
light > wanton, frivolous
211.12
And that fourth band, which cruell battry bent,
2 Against the fourth Bulwarke, that is the Tast,
Was as the rest, a grysie rablement,
4 Some mouth'd like greedy Oystriges, some +fast+
Like loathly Toades, some fashioned in the wast
6 Like swine; for so deformd is luxury,
+Surfeat+, misdiet, and vnthriftie wast,
8 Vaine feasts, and idle superfluity:
All those this sences Fort assayle incessantly.
4 fast > fac't 1609 7 Surfeat > Surfait 1609
1 And that fourth band, which cruel battery bent
battery > {Assault, assault with many blows; artillery} bent > directed, applied
2 Against the fourth bulwark (that is, the taste), 3 Was as the rest, a grisy rabblement,
grisy > horrible, fearsome; grisly rabblement > rabble
4 Some mouthed like greedy ostriches, some faced
faced > [having faces]
5 Like loathly toads, some fashioned in the waist
loathly > loathsome, disgusting
6 Like swine; for so deformed is luxury,
so > in this manner luxury > excess; dissipation
7 Surfeit, misdiet, and unthrifty waste,
misdiet > improper diet unthrifty > senseless; profligate
8 Vain feasts, and idle superfluity: 9 All those this sense's fort assail incessantly.
211.13
But the fift troupe most horrible of hew,
2 And fierce of force, +was+ dreadfull to report:
For some like Snailes, some did like spyders shew,
4 And some like vgly Vrchins thicke and short:
+Cruelly they+ +assayled+ that fift Fort,
6 Armed with darts of sensuall delight,
With stings of carnall lust, and strong effort
8 Of feeling pleasures, with which day and night
Against that same fift bulwarke they continued fight.
2 was > is 1590 5 Cruelly they > They cruelly 1609 5 assayled > assayed 1590: i.e. attempted, attacked
1 But the fifth troop, most horrible of hue,
hue > appearance; colour
2 And fierce of force, was dreadful to report: 3 For some like snails, some did like spiders show,
show > appear, seem
4 And some like ugly urchins, thick and short:
urchins > hedgehogs
5 Cruelly they assailed that fifth fort, 6 Armed with darts of sensual delight, 7 With stings of carnal lust, and strong effort
effort > power
8 Of feeling pleasures, with which day and night 9 Against that same fifth bulwark they continued fight.
fight > [the fight, fighting]
211.14
Thus these twelue troupes with dreadfull puissance
2 Against that Castle restlesse siege did lay,
And euermore their hideous Ordinance
4 Vpon the Bulwarkes cruelly did play,
That now it gan to threaten neare decay:
6 And euermore their wicked Capitaine
Prouoked them the breaches to assay,
8 Somtimes with threats, somtimes with hope of gaine,
Which by the ransack of that peece they should attaine.
1 Thus these twelve troops with dreadful puissance
puissance > force, power
2 Against that castle restless siege did lay, 3 And evermore their hideous ordinance
hideous > immense, terrific; odious ordinance > battle-array; or, more probably: ordnance, artillery (cf. 211.10:9, 211.12:1)
4 Upon the bulwarks cruelly did play, 5 That now it began to threaten near decay:
That > [So that] decay > downfall, destruction; death
6 And evermore their wicked captain 7 Provoked them the breaches to assay,
assay > assault; attempt
8 Sometimes with threats, sometimes with hope of gain,
hope > promise; expectation
9 Which by the ransack of that piece they should attain.
piece > piece of work, contrivance [the castle]
211.15
On th'other side, th'assieged Castles ward
2 Their stedfast stonds did mightily maintaine,
And many bold repulse, and many hard
4 Atchieuement wrought with perill and with paine,
That goodly frame from ruine to sustaine:
6 And those two brethren Giants did defend
The walles so stoutly with their sturdie maine,
8 That neuer entrance any durst pretend,
But they to direfull death their groning ghosts did send.
1 On the other side, the assieged castle's ward
assieged > besieged ward > guards, garrison
2 Their steadfast stands did mightily maintain,
stands > positions maintain > defend
3 And many bold repulse, and many hard 4 Achievement wrought with peril and with pain, 5 That goodly frame from ruin to sustain:
frame > structure sustain > keep, preserve
6 And those two brethren giants did defend
brethren giants > [hands]
7 The walls so stoutly with their sturdy main,
stoutly > bravely, resolutely sturdy > courageous main > strength, power (with a pun on the French main, "hand")
8 That never entrance any dared pretend,
That > [So that] pretend > presume, intend; attempt
9 But they to direful death their groaning ghosts did send.
their > [of those who dared pretend entrance] ghosts > souls
211.16
The noble virgin, Ladie of +the+ place,
2 Was much dismayed with that dreadfull sight:
For neuer was she in so euill cace,
4 Till that the Prince seeing her wofull plight,
Gan her recomfort from so sad affright,
6 Offring his seruice, and his dearest life
For her defence, against that Carle to fight,
8 Which was their chiefe and th'author of that strife:
She him remercied as the Patrone of her life.
1 the > that 1609
1 The noble virgin, lady of the place,
place > fortress, citadel; place
2 Was much dismayed with that dreadful sight:
with > by
3 For never was she in so evil case;
case > [a] plight
4 Till the prince, seeing her woeful plight, 5 Gan her recomfort from so sad affright,
Gan > Did recomfort > console; inspire with fresh courage so sad affright > such a heavy terror
6 Offering his service, and his dearest life 7 For her defence, against that carl to fight,
carl > villain, churl
8 Who was their chief and the author of that strife: 9 She him remercied as the patron of her life.
remercied > thanked patron > champion, protector
211.17
Eftsoones himselfe in glitterand armes he dight,
2 And his well proued weapons to him hent;
So taking courteous conge he behight,
4 Those gates to be vnbar'd, and forth he went.
Faire mote he thee, the prowest and most gent,
6 That euer brandished bright steele on hye:
Whom soone as that vnruly rablement,
8 With his gay Squire issuing did espy,
They reard a most outrageous dreadfull yelling cry.
1 Eftsoons himself in glittering arms he dight,
Eftsoons > Thereupon arms > {Arms and armour} dight > prepared; hence: clad
2 And his well proved weapons to him hent;
hent > took
3 So, taking courteous cong{e/}, he behight
cong{e/} > leave behight > bade (catachr.)
4 Those gates to be unbarred, and forth he went. 5 Fair might he thee, the prowest, and most gent,
Fair > Fairly, well thee > thrive prowest > bravest gent > noble
6 That ever brandished bright steel on high: 7 Whom soon as that unruly rabblement,
soon > [as soon] rabblement > rabble
8 With his gay squire issuing, did espy,
squire > knight's attendant
9 They reared a most outrageous dreadful yelling cry.
211.18
And therewith all attonce at him let fly
2 Their fluttring arrowes, thicke as flakes of snow,
And round about him flocke impetuously,
4 Like a great water flood, that tombling low
From the high mountaines, threats to ouerflow
6 With suddein fury all the fertile plaine,
And the sad husbandmans long hope doth throw
8 A downe the streame, and all his vowes make vaine,
Nor bounds nor banks his headlong ruine may sustaine.
1 And therewith all at once at him let fly
therewith > with that; thereupon at once > simultaneously; immediately
2 Their fluttering arrows, thick as flakes of snow, 3 And round about him flock impetuously, 4 Like a great water flood that, tumbling low 5 From the high mountains, threats to overflow
threats > threatens
6 With sudden fury all the fertile plain, 7 And the sad husbandman's long hope does throw 8 Adown the stream, and all his vows make vain,
Adown > Down vain > futile
9 Nor bounds nor banks his headlong ruin may sustain.
Nor > Neither his > its (the flood's); his (the husbandman's) ruin > downfall (of the water or the husbandman) sustain > withstand
211.19
Vpon his shield their heaped hayle he bore,
2 And with his sword disperst the raskall flockes,
Which fled a sunder, and him fell before,
4 As withered leaues drop from their dried stockes,
When the wroth Western wind does reaue their locks;
6 And vnder neath him his courageous steed,
The fierce Spumador trode them downe like docks,
8 The fierce Spumador borne of heauenly seed:
Such as Laomedon of Ph{oe}bus race did breed.
1 Upon his shield their heaped hail he bore, 2 And with his sword dispersed the rascal flocks, 3 Which fled asunder, and him fell before, 4 As withered leaves drop from their dried stocks
stocks > stems
5 When the wroth western wind does reave their locks;
reave > ravage; carry off locks > [locks of hair]
6 And underneath him his courageous steed, 7 The fierce Spumador, trod them down like docks,
Spumador > "Foaming One" (Latin spumo, to foam or froth; cf. Aen. 6.881) docks > {Coarse, floppy weeds of rough ground, Rumex spp.}
8 The fierce Spumador, born of heavenly seed:
seed > offspring
9 Such as Laomedon of Phoebus' race did breed.
Laomedon > (King of Troy and, in some accounts, the father of Ganymede, the beautiful youth carried off by Zeus (Jupiter). In compensation Jupiter gave Laomedon a pair of divine horses, such as those which draw Phoebus's fiery chariot across the sky) Phoebus > (Who, incidentally, having displeased Jupiter, was sentenced for a time to watch Laomedon's flocks on Mount Ida)
211.20
Which suddeine horrour and confused cry,
2 When as their Captaine heard, in haste he yode,
The cause to weet, and fault to remedy;
4 Vpon a Tygre swift and fierce he rode,
That as the winde ran vnderneath his lode,
6 Whiles his long legs nigh raught vnto the ground;
Full large he was of limbe, and shoulders brode,
8 But of such subtile substance and vnsound,
That like a ghost he seem'd, whose graue-clothes were vnbound.
1 Which sudden horror and confused cry, 2 When their captain heard, in haste he yode
yode > went
3 The cause to weet, and fault to remedy;
weet > find out
4 Upon a tiger swift and fierce he rode, 5 That as the wind ran underneath his load, 6 While his long legs nigh raught to the ground;
raught > reached
7 Full large he was of limb, and shoulders broad,
Full > Very, exceedingly
8 But of such subtile substance and unsound,
subtile > rarefied, thin; subtle
9 That like a ghost he seemed, whose grave-clothes were unbound.
211.21
And in his hand a bended bow was seene,
2 And many arrowes vnder his right side,
All deadly daungerous, all cruell keene,
4 Headed with flint, and feathers bloudie dide,
Such as the Indians in their quiuers hide;
6 Those could he well direct and streight as line,
And bid them strike the marke, which he had eyde,
8 Ne was +there+ salue, ne was +there+ medicine,
That mote recure their wounds: so inly they did tine.
8 there > their 1590, 1596; cf. 110.36:6, 202.30:1, 206.27:9, 304.41:7, 312.28:1 8 there > their 1590, 1596
1 And in his hand a bent bow was seen, 2 And many arrows under his right side, 3 All deadly dangerous, all cruel keen,
keen > sharp
4 Headed with flint, and feathers bloody dyed, 5 Such as the Indians in their quivers hide; 6 Those could he well direct and straight as line, 7 And bid them strike the mark, which he had eyed, 8 Neither was there salve, nor was there medicine, 9 That might recure their wounds: so inly they did teen.
recure > cure, restore inly > inwardly teen > vex, enrage, give grief
211.22
As pale and wan as ashes was his looke,
2 His bodie leane and meagre as a rake,
And skin all withered like a dryed rooke,
4 Thereto as cold and drery as a Snake,
That seem'd to tremble euermore, and quake:
6 All in a canuas thin he was bedight,
And girded with a belt of twisted brake,
8 Vpon his head he wore an Helmet light,
Made of a dead mans skull, that seem'd a ghastly sight.
1 As pale and wan as ashes was his look, 2 His body lean and meagre as a rake,
meagre > emaciated
3 And skin all withered like a dried rook,
rook > (A sort of crow, Corvus frugilegus, nesting communally around farmsteads; the partly feathered squabs were formerly much taken as food, sometimes being dried and put in store)
4 Thereto as cold and dreary as a snake,
Thereto > Moreover, also dreary > dreadful, grim
5 That seemed to tremble evermore, and quake: 6 All in a canvas thin he was bedight,
bedight > arrayed; hence: clad
7 And girded with a belt of twisted brake;
brake > fern, bracken
8 Upon his head he wore a helmet light, 9 Made of a dead man's skull, that seemed a ghastly sight.
ghastly > {Frightful, causing terror of the supernatural}
211.23
Maleger was his name, and after him,
2 There follow'd fast at hand two wicked Hags,
With hoarie lockes all loose, and visage grim;
4 Their feet vnshod, their bodies wrapt in rags,
And both as swift on foot, as chased Stags;
6 And yet the one her other legge had lame,
Which with a staffe, all full of litle snags
8 She did +support+, and Impotence her name:
But th'other was Impatience, arm'd with raging flame.
8 support > disport 1596, 1609
1 Maleger was his name, and after him 2 There followed fast at hand two wicked hags,
fast > closely; rapidly
3 With hoary locks all loose, and visage grim; 4 Their feet unshod, their bodies wrapped in rags, 5 And both as swift on foot as chased stags; 6 And yet the one her other leg had lame,
other > (Cf. 204.4:3)
7 Which with a staff, all full of little snags, 8 She did support, and Impotence her name:
Impotence > "Lack of Self-restraint"; "Violent Passion" (obsolete meanings of this word) her > [was her]
9 But the other was Impatience, armed with raging flame.
Impatience > "Inability to Endure Suffering" (the primary meaning)
211.24
Soone as the Carle from farre the Prince espyde,
2 Glistring in armes and warlike ornament,
His Beast he felly prickt on either syde,
4 And his mischieuous bow full readie bent,
With which at him a cruell shaft he sent:
6 But he was warie, and it warded well
Vpon his shield, that it no further went,
8 But to the ground the idle quarrell fell:
Then he another and another did expell.
1 Soon as the carl from far the prince espied,
Soon > [As soon] carl > villain, churl
2 Glistering in arms and warlike ornament,
arms > {Arms and armour}
3 His beast he felly pricked on either side,
felly > fiercely, hotly pricked > spurred
4 And his mischievous bow full ready bent,
mischievous > {Producing or intending harm} full > very, quite
5 With which at him a cruel shaft he sent:
shaft > arrow
6 But he was wary, and it warded well
he > [Arthur]
7 Upon his shield, that it no further went,
that > [so that]
8 But to the ground the idle quarrel fell:
idle > vain, futile quarrel > arrow (normally applied to the arrow or bolt for a crossbow, a weapon favoured by the medieval French and greatly disdained by English longbowmen)
9 Then he another and another did expel.
211.25
Which to preuent, the Prince his mortall speare
2 Soone to him raught, and fierce at him did ride,
To be auenged of that shot whyleare:
4 But he was not so hardie to abide
That bitter stownd, but turning quicke aside
6 His light-foot beast, fled fast away for feare:
Whom to pursue, the Infant after hide,
8 So fast as his good Courser could him beare,
But labour lost it was, to weene approch him neare.
1 Which to prevent, the prince his mortal spear
mortal > lethal, deadly
2 Soon to him raught, and fierce at him did ride,
raught > reached
3 To be avenged of that shot whilere:
whilere > erewhile: lately [fired; or quasi-adj.]
4 But he was not so hardy to abide
hardy > foolhardy; robust; bold to abide > [as to await]
5 That bitter stound, but, turning quick aside
stound > peril
6 His lightfoot beast, fled fast away for fear:
lightfoot > light-footed
7 Whom to pursue, the infant after hied,
infant > prince hied > went quickly; hence: raced; also: strove
8 So fast as his good courser could him bear,
fast > fast; closely
9 But labour lost it was, to ween approach him near.
ween > intend, imagine [to]
211.26
For as the winged wind his Tigre fled,
2 That vew of eye could scarse him ouertake,
Ne scarse his feet on ground were seene to tred;
4 Through hils and dales he speedie way did make,
Ne hedge ne ditch his readie passage brake,
6 And in his flight the villein turn'd his face,
(As wonts the Tartar by the Caspian lake,
8 When as the Russian him in fight does chace)
Vnto his Tygres taile, and shot at him apace.
1 For as the winged wind his tiger fled, 2 That view of eye could scarce him overtake,
That > [So that]
3 Nor scarce his feet on ground were seen to tread; 4 Through hills and dales he speedy way did make, 5 Neither hedge nor ditch his ready passage broke,
ready > straight, direct broke > delayed; diverted
6 And in his flight the villein turned his face
villein > villain; serf
7 (As wonts the Tartar by the Caspian Lake,
wonts > is accustomed; hence: does Lake > Sea
8 When the Russian him in fight does chase) 9 To his tiger's tail, and shot at him apace.
To his tiger's tail > [Maleger faced backwards in the manner of the
Parthians, who, like the Tartars, were inhabitants of western
Asia]
apace > quickly; hence: with a quick succession of arrows
211.27
Apace he shot, and yet he fled apace,
2 Still as the greedy knight nigh to him drew,
And oftentimes he would relent his pace,
4 That him his foe more fiercely should pursew:
+Who+ when his vncouth manner he did vew,
6 He gan auize to follow him no more,
But keepe his standing, and his shaftes eschew,
8 Vntill he quite had spent his perlous store,
And then assayle him fresh, ere he could shift for more.
5 Who > But 1590
1 Apace he shot, and yet he fled apace, 2 Still as the greedy knight nigh to him drew,
Still > Continuously; ever greedy > eager; reckless
3 And oftentimes he would relent his pace,
oftentimes > many times, frequently relent > slacken
4 That him his foe more fiercely should pursue:
That > [So that]
5 Who, when his uncouth manner he did view,
uncouth > bizarre; unseemly (i.e. riding backwards and varying his speed)
6 He gan advise to follow him no more,
gan > did advise > bethink, purpose; hence: decide
7 But keep his standing, and his shafts eschew,
keep his standing > [stay where he was; or: hang back] shafts > arrows
8 Until he quite had spent his perilous store, 9 And then assail him fresh, ere he could shift for more.
shift for > make efforts for, contrive to get hold of
211.28
But that lame Hag, still as abroad he strew
2 His wicked arrowes, gathered them againe,
And to him brought, fresh battell to renew:
4 Which he espying, cast her to restraine
From yielding succour to that cursed Swaine,
6 And her attaching, thought her hands to tye;
But soone as him dismounted on the plaine,
8 That other Hag did farre away espy
Binding her sister, she to him ran hastily.
1 But that lame hag, still as abroad he strewed
that lame hag > [Impotence] still > continually
2 His wicked arrows, gathered them again, 3 And to him brought, fresh battle to renew: 4 Which he espying, cast her to restrain
he > [Arthur] cast > resolved
5 From yielding succour to that cursed swain,
swain > youth, young man; with further connotations, as: attendant, serf (of the hags); lover (of the lame hag)
6 And her attaching, thought her hands to tie;
attaching > seizing, arresting (cf. 112.35:5)
7 But soon as him, dismounted on the plain, 8 That other hag did far away espy
That other hag > [Impatience]
9 Binding her sister, she to him ran hastily.
211.29
And catching hold of him, as downe he lent,
2 Him backward ouerthrew, and downe him stayd
With their rude hands and griesly graplement,
4 Till that the villein comming to their +ayd+,
Vpon him fell, and lode vpon him layd;
6 Full litle wanted, but he had him slaine,
And of the battell balefull end had made,
8 Had not his gentle Squire beheld his paine,
And commen to his reskew, ere his bitter bane.
4 ayd > aye 1596
1 And catching hold of him, as down he leaned, 2 Him backward overthrew, and down him stayed
stayed > held, held motionless
3 With their rude hands and grisly grapplement,
rude > rough, clumsy; violent grisly > horrible, fearsome grapplement > grappling; clutch, grasp (WU)
4 Till the villein, coming to their aid,
villein > villain, serf
5 Upon him fell, and load upon him laid; 6 Full little wanted, but he had him slain,
Full little wanted, but he had him slain > [Maleger very nearly killed him; "full" = "very", "wanted" = "lacked"]
7 And of the battle baleful end had made,
baleful > deadly, unhappy
8 Had not his gentle squire beheld his pain,
his > [Arthur's] gentle > noble
9 And come to his rescue, ere his bitter bane.
bane > death, murder
211.30
So greatest and most glorious thing on ground
2 May often need the helpe of weaker hand;
So feeble is mans state, and life vnsound,
4 That in assurance it may neuer stand,
Till it dissolued be from earthly band.
6 Proofe be thou Prince, the prowest man aliue,
And noblest borne of all in Briton land;
8 Yet thee fierce Fortune did so nearely driue,
That had not grace thee blest, thou shouldest not +suruiue+.
9 suruiue > reuiue 1590 etc.: FE
1 So greatest and most glorious thing on ground
So > Thus, in this manner [the] on ground > in the world (cf. 208.11:2, where the same pun is used)
2 May often need the help of weaker hand; 3 So feeble is man's state, and life unsound, 4 That in assurance it may never stand,
assurance > security
5 Till it dissolved be from earthly band.
band > attachment; bonds; also, perhaps: company, hence: society
6 Proof be you, Prince, the prowest man alive,
prowest > bravest
7 And noblest born of all in Briton land; 8 Yet you fierce Fortune did so nearly drive,
nearly > closely; particularly drive > (E.g. a game animal into a net, trap, or other confined space where it can be killed)
9 That had not grace you blessed, you should not survive.
grace > favour, goodwill; God's grace blessed > protected from evil, delivered, spared survive > [have survived]
211.31
The Squire arriuing, fiercely in his armes
2 Snatcht first the one, and then the other Iade,
His chiefest lets and authors of his harmes,
4 And them perforce withheld with threatned blade,
Least that his Lord they should behind inuade;
6 The whiles the Prince prickt with reprochfull shame,
As one awakt out of long slombring shade,
8 Reuiuing thought of glorie and of fame,
Vnited all his powres to purge himselfe from blame.
1 The squire, arriving, fiercely in his arms 2 Snatched first the one and then the other jade,
jade > {A worn-out horse; hence: an opprobrious term for a woman, and often also applied to Fortune, Nature, etc. personified}
3 His chiefest lets and authors of his harms,