lets > hindrances
4 And them perforce withheld with threatened blade,
perforce > forcibly
5 Lest his lord they should behind invade;
behind invade > [attack from behind]
6 The whiles the prince, pricked with reproachful shame,
The whiles > Meanwhile
7 As one awoken out of long slumbering shade,
shade > shadow; darkness, night
8 Reviving thought of glory and of fame, 9 United all his powers to purge himself from blame.
blame > fault
211.32
Like as a fire, the which in hollow caue
2 Hath long bene vnderkept, and downe supprest,
With murmurous disdaine doth inly raue,
4 And grudge, in so streight prison to be prest,
At last breakes forth with furious +vnrest+,
6 And striues to mount vnto his natiue seat;
All that did earst it hinder and molest,
8 It now deuoures with flames and scorching heat,
And carries into smoake with rage and horror great.
5 vnrest > infest 1590
1 Like a fire, which in hollow cave 2 Has long been underkept, and down suppressed, 3 With murmurous disdain does inly rave,
With > [And with] disdain > anger; indignation inly > inwardly
4 And grudge, in so strait prison to be pressed,
grudge > complain so > such [a] strait > strict; narrow, confining
5 At last breaks forth with furious unrest,
At > [And at] unrest > turmoil
6 And strives to mount to his native seat;
native seat > rightful position (of the element Fire, above Earth, Air, and Water)
7 All that did erst it hinder and molest,
erst > formerly
8 It now devours with flames and scorching heat, 9 And carries into smoke with rage and horror great.
211.33
So mightily the Briton Prince him rouzd
2 Out of his hold, and broke his caitiue bands,
And as a Beare whom angry curres haue touzd,
4 Hauing off-shakt them, and escapt their hands,
Becomes more fell, and all that him withstands
6 Treads downe and ouerthrowes. Now had the Carle
Alighted from his Tigre, and his hands
8 Discharged of his bow and deadly quar'le,
To seize vpon his foe flat lying on the marle.
1 So mightily the Briton prince himself roused
So > Thus, similarly
2 Out of his hold, and broke his caitiff bonds,
his > [Maleger's] caitiff > despicable; wretched
3 And, as a bear whom angry curs have toused
toused > harassed, worried (during bear-baiting; cf. 208.42:1)
4 (Having off-shaken them, and escaped their hands)
hands > possession, custody; attentions
5 Becomes more fell, and all that him withstands
fell > fierce, terrible
6 Treads down and overthrows. Now had the carl
Now > (Intensifying the pluperfect) carl > villain, churl
7 Alighted from his tiger, and his hands 8 Discharged of his bow and deadly quarrel,
Discharged > Rid (by throwing aside) quarrel > arrow, arrows
9 To seize upon his foe flat lying on the marl.
marl > soil
211.34
Which now him turnd to disauantage deare;
2 For neither can he fly, nor other harme,
But trust vnto his strength and manhood meare,
4 Sith now he is farre from his monstrous swarme,
And of his weapons did himselfe disarme.
6 The knight yet wrothfull for his late disgrace,
Fiercely aduaunst his valorous right arme,
8 And him so sore smote with his yron mace,
That groueling to the ground he fell, and fild his place.
1 Which now him turned to disadvantage dear;
dear > grievous; costly
2 For neither can he fly, nor other harm,
fly > flee other > otherwise; the other; do other
3 But trust to his strength and manhood mere,
mere > unaided
4 Sith now he is far from his monstrous swarm,
Sith > Since
5 And of his weapons did himself disarm. 6 The knight, yet wrathful for his late disgrace,
late > recent
7 Fiercely advanced his valorous right arm,
advanced > raised
8 And him so sore smote with his iron mace 9 That grovelling to the ground he fell, and fild his place.
grovelling > face-down fild > filled; or: defiled (cf. 105.32:2 etc.) his > [Arthur's]
211.35
Well weened he, that field was then his owne,
2 And all his labour brought to happie end,
When suddein vp the villein ouerthrowne,
4 Out of his swowne arose, fresh to contend,
And gan himselfe to second battell bend,
6 As hurt he had not bene. Thereby there lay
An huge great stone, which stood vpon one end,
8 And had not bene remoued many a day;
Some land-marke seem'd to be, or signe of sundry way.
1 Well weened he, that field was then his own,
weened > supposed field > [that] battle, field of battle
2 And all his labour brought to happy end, 3 When suddenly up the villein overthrown
villein > villain, serf
4 Out of his swoon arose, fresh to contend, 5 And gan himself to second battle bend,
gan > did bend > direct, apply
6 As hurt he had not been. Thereby there lay
As > [As though]
Thereby > There, nearby
7 A huge great stone, which stood upon one end, 8 And had not been removed many a day;
removed > moved [for]
9 Some landmark seemed to be, or sign of sundry way.
sundry > distinct; other, separate, sundry; hence: some (indifferently, in the sense "some road or other") way > road, track
211.36
The same he snatcht, and with exceeding sway
2 Threw at his foe, who was right well aware
To shunne the engin of his meant decay;
4 It booted not to thinke that throw to beare,
But ground he gaue, and lightly leapt areare:
6 Eft fierce returning, as a Faulcon faire
That once hath failed of her souse full neare,
8 Remounts againe into the open aire,
And vnto better fortune doth her selfe prepaire.
1 The same he snatched, and with exceeding sway
sway > force; momentum
2 Threw at his foe, who was right well aware
right > at once; very aware > watchful
3 To shun the engine of his meant decay;
engine > instrument meant decay > intended death
4 It booted not to think that throw to bear,
booted not to think > [did not bear thinking about: cf. 108.7:9] throw > throw; blow
5 But ground he gave, and lightly leapt arrear:
lightly > lightly; quickly arrear > backwards
6 Eft fierce returning, as a falcon fair,
Eft > Afterwards, then
7 That once has failed of her souse full near,
souse > swoop, stoop (cf. 105.8:7) full near > [very nearly, by very little]
8 Remounts again into the open air, 9 And to better fortune does herself prepare.
211.37
So braue returning, with his brandisht blade,
2 He to the Carle himselfe againe addrest,
And strooke at him so sternely, that he made
4 An open passage through his riuen brest,
That halfe the steele behind his back did rest;
6 Which drawing backe, he looked euermore
When the hart bloud should gush out of his chest,
8 Or his dead corse should fall vpon the flore;
But his dead corse vpon the flore fell nathemore.
1 So brave returning, with his brandished blade, 2 He to the carl himself again addressed,
carl > villain, churl
3 And struck at him so sternly, that he made
sternly > fiercely, mercilessly
4 An open passage through his riven breast,
riven > split, torn open
5 That half the steel behind his back did rest;
That > [So that] rest > remain; hence: protrude
6 Which drawing back, he looked evermore 7 When the heart-blood should gush out of his chest, 8 Or his dead corse should fall upon the floor;
corse > body floor > ground (catachr. prompted by the rhyme, as at 208.42:5)
9 But his dead corse upon the floor fell nathemore.
nathemore > not at all
211.38
Ne drop of bloud appeared shed to bee,
2 All were the wounde so wide and wonderous,
That through his carkasse one might plainely see:
4 Halfe in a maze with horror hideous,
And halfe in rage, to be deluded thus,
6 Againe through both the sides he strooke him quight,
That made his spright to grone full piteous:
8 Yet nathemore forth fled his groning spright,
But freshly as at first, prepard himselfe to fight.
1 Nor drop of blood appeared shed to be, 2 All were the wound so wide and wondrous
All > Although
3 That through his carcase one might plainly see: 4 Half in amaze with horror hideous,
amaze > confusion, amazement hideous > terrific
5 And half in rage, to be deluded thus, 6 Again through both the sides he struck him quite,
quite > thoroughly, entirely
7 That made his spirit groan full piteous:
That > [That thrust; or: so that it] full > exceedingly
8 Yet nathemore forth fled his groaning spirit,
nathemore > not at all
9 But freshly, as at first, prepared himself to fight.
211.39
Thereat he smitten was with great affright,
2 And trembling terror did his hart apall,
Ne wist he, what to thinke of that same sight,
4 Ne what to say, ne what to doe at all;
He doubted, least it were some magicall
6 Illusion, that did beguile his sense,
Or wandring ghost, that wanted funerall,
8 Or aerie spirit vnder false pretence,
Or hellish feend raysd vp through diuelish science.
1 Thereat he smitten was with great affright,
Thereat > Thereupon; as a result of that affright > terror
2 And trembling terror did his heart appal, 3 Neither wist he what to think of that same sight,
wist > knew, guessed
4 Nor what to say, nor what to do at all; 5 He doubted, lest it were some magical
doubted > was afraid
6 Illusion that did beguile his sense, 7 Or wandering ghost, that wanted funeral,
wanted > lacked [a]
8 Or airy spirit under false pretence,
airy > aerial; composed of air (cf. 101.45:3)
9 Or hellish fiend raised up through devilish science.
science > skill, lore, knowledge
211.40
His wonder farre exceeded reasons reach,
2 That he began to doubt his dazeled sight,
And oft of error did himselfe appeach:
4 Flesh without bloud, a person without spright,
Wounds without hurt, a bodie without might,
6 That could doe harme, yet could not harmed bee,
That could not die, yet seem'd a mortall wight,
8 That was most strong in most infirmitee;
Like did he neuer heare, like did he neuer see.
1 His wonder far exceeded reason's reach, 2 That he began to doubt his dazzled sight,
That > [So that]
3 And oft of error did himself appeach:
appeach > impeach, accuse
4 Flesh without blood, a person without spirit, 5 Wounds without hurt, a body without might,
might > strength
6 That could do harm, yet could not harmed be, 7 That could not die, yet seemed a mortal wight,
wight > man, creature
8 That was most strong in most infirmity;
most > greatest
9 Like did he never hear, like did he never see.
Like > [The like]
211.41
A while he stood in this astonishment,
2 Yet would he not for all his great dismay
Giue ouer to effect his first intent,
4 And th'vtmost meanes of victorie assay,
Or th'vtmost issew of his owne decay.
6 His owne good sword +Mordure+, that neuer fayld
At need, till now, he lightly threw away,
8 And his bright shield, that nought him now auayld,
And with his naked hands him forcibly assayld.
6 Mordure > Morddure 1609
1 A while he stood in this astonishment, 2 Yet would he not for all his great dismay 3 Give over to effect his first intent,
Give over > Desist from [trying]
4 And the utmost means of victory essay,
essay > attempt
5 Or the utmost issue of his own decay.
issue > outcome decay > death
6 His own good sword Morddure, that never failed
Morddure > "Hard-biter" (see 208.20-1)
7 At need, till now, he lightly threw away,
lightly > lightly; quickly
8 And his bright shield, that naught him now availed,
And > [And also] naught > not at all
9 And with his naked hands him forcibly assailed.
211.42
Twixt his two mightie armes him vp he snatcht,
2 And crusht his carkasse so against his brest,
That the disdainfull soule he thence dispatcht,
4 And th'idle breath all vtterly exprest:
Tho when he felt him dead, +a downe+ he kest
6 The lumpish corse vnto the senselesse grownd;
Adowne he kest it with so puissant wrest,
8 That backe againe it did aloft rebownd,
And gaue against his mother earth a gronefull sownd.
5 a downe > adowne 1590
1 'Twixt his two mighty arms him up he snatched, 2 And crushed his carcase so against his breast 3 That the disdainful soul he thence dispatched,
disdainful > angry; indignant
4 And the idle breath all utterly expressed:
idle > empty expressed > squeezed out
5 Tho when he felt him dead, adown he cast
Tho > Then adown > down
6 The lumpish corse to the senseless ground;
lumpish > sluggishly inactive; low-spirited corse > body
7 Adown he cast it with so puissant wrest,
so puissant wrest > such a powerful twist
8 That back again it did aloft rebound, 9 And gave against his mother earth a groanful sound.
groanful > groaning, lugubrious, mournful
211.43
As when Ioues harnesse-bearing Bird from hie
2 Stoupes at a flying heron with proud disdaine,
The stone-dead quarrey fals so forciblie,
4 That it rebounds against the lowly plaine,
A second fall redoubling backe againe.
6 Then thought the Prince all perill sure was past,
And that he victor onely did remaine;
8 No sooner thought, then that the Carle as fast
Gan heap huge strokes on him, as ere he downe was cast.
1 As when Jove's harness-bearing bird from high
harness > {Military equipment or accoutrements} bird > (The eagle, which carries his thunderbolts)
2 Stoops at a flying heron with proud disdain,
Stoops > Swoops disdain > indignation; anger
3 The stone-dead quarry falls so forcibly 4 That it rebounds against the lowly plain, 5 A second fall redoubling back again. 6 Then, thought the prince, all peril sure was past, 7 And that he victor only did remain;
victor > [as victor; victorious] only > solely
8 No sooner thought, than the carl as fast
carl > villain, churl
9 Gan heap huge strokes on him, as ere he down was cast.
Gan > Did; began to
211.44
Nigh his wits end then woxe th'amazed knight,
2 And thought his labour lost and trauell vaine,
Against this lifelesse shadow so to fight:
4 Yet life he saw, and felt his mightie maine,
That whiles he marueild still, did still him paine:
6 For thy he gan some other wayes aduize,
How to take life from that dead-liuing swaine,
8 Whom still he marked freshly to arize
From th'earth, and from her wombe new spirits to reprize.
1 Nigh his wits' end then waxed the amazed knight,
waxed > grew, became amazed > astounded; confounded
2 And thought his labour lost and travail vain,
travail > toil
3 Against this lifeless shadow so to fight: 4 Yet life he saw, and felt his mighty main,
main > strength, power
5 That while he marvelled still, did still him pain: 6 For-thy he gan some other ways advise
For-thy > For this reason, therefore gan > did advise > consider
7 How to take life from that dead-living swain,
swain > youth, young man; with further connotations, as: attendant, serf (of the hags); lover (of the lame hag)
8 Whom still he marked freshly to arise
still > continually, ever marked > observed
9 From the earth, and from her womb new spirits to reprise.
reprise > take anew (SUFQ)
211.45
He then remembred well, that had bene sayd,
2 How th'Earth his mother was, and first him bore;
She eke so often, as his life decayd,
4 Did life with vsury to him restore,
And raysd him vp much stronger then before,
6 So soone as he vnto her wombe did fall;
Therefore to ground he would him cast no more,
8 Ne him commit to graue terrestriall,
But beare him farre from hope of succour vsuall.
1 He then remembered well, that had been said,
that had been said > (A reference to the slaying of Antaeus by Hercules. Antaeus was a huge giant, the son of Neptune and Earth, and was invincible as long as he remained in contact with his mother element. In order to crush and kill him, Hercules had to lift him into the air first)
2 How the Earth his mother was, and first him bore; 3 She eke so often, as his life decayed,
eke > also decayed > declined
4 Did life with usury to him restore,
usury > interest
5 And raised him up much stronger than before, 6 So soon as he to her womb did fall; 7 Therefore to ground he would him cast no more, 8 Nor him commit to grave terrestrial, 9 But bear him far from hope of succour usual.
211.46
Tho vp he caught him twixt his puissant hands,
2 And hauing scruzd out of his carrion corse
The lothfull life, now loosd from sinfull bands,
4 Vpon his shoulders carried him perforse
Aboue three furlongs, taking his full course,
6 Vntill he came vnto a standing lake;
Him thereinto he threw without remorse,
8 Ne stird, till hope of life did him forsake;
So end of that Carles dayes, and his owne paines did make.
1 Tho up he caught him 'twixt his puissant hands,
Tho > Then puissant > powerful
2 And having scruzed out of his carrion corse
scruzed > squeezed corse > body
3 The loathful life, now loosed from sinful bonds,
loathful > loathsome; reluctant
4 Upon his shoulders carried him perforce
perforce > forcibly
5 Above three furlongs, taking his full course,
Above > More than furlong > {An eighth of a mile, 220 yards, about 201 metres; cf. 111.11:7}
6 Until he came to a standing lake;
standing > tideless
7 Him thereinto he threw without remorse,
remorse > pity, compunction
8 Nor stirred, till hope of life did him forsake; 9 So end of that carl's days, and his own pains, did make.
carl > villain, churl pains > efforts; pains
211.47
Which when those wicked Hags from farre did spy,
2 Like two mad dogs they ran about the lands,
And th'one of them with dreadfull yelling cry,
4 Throwing away her broken chaines and bands,
And hauing quencht her burning fier brands,
6 Hedlong her selfe did cast into that lake;
But Impotence with her owne wilfull hands,
8 One of Malegers cursed darts did take,
So riu'd her trembling hart, and wicked end did make.
1 Which when those wicked hags from far did spy, 2 Like two mad dogs they ran about the lands, 3 And one of them with dreadful yelling cry,
one of them > (Impatience - see line 7)
4 Throwing away her broken chains and bonds,
her broken chains > (Apparently an error: it was Impotence whom Arthur bound, or tried to bind, at 211.28:6)
5 And having quenched her burning fire brands, 6 Headlong herself did cast into that lake; 7 But Impotence with her own wilful hands 8 One of Maleger's cursed darts did take, 9 So rived her trembling heart, and wicked end did make.
rived > split, tore
211.48
Thus now alone he conquerour remaines;
2 Tho comming to his Squire, that kept his steed,
Thought to haue mounted, but his feeble vaines
4 Him faild thereto, and serued not his need,
Through losse of bloud, which from his wounds did bleed,
6 That he began to faint, and life decay:
But his good Squire him helping vp with speed,
8 With stedfast hand vpon his horse did stay,
And led him to the Castle by the beaten way.
1 Thus now alone he conqueror remains; 2 Tho coming to his squire, that kept his steed,
Tho > Then squire > knight's attendant
3 Thought to have mounted, but his feeble veins 4 Him failed thereto, and served not his need,
thereto > in that purpose
5 Through loss of blood, which from his wounds did bleed, 6 That he began to faint, and life decay:
That > [So that] decay > [began to] decline
7 But his good squire, him helping up with speed, 8 With steadfast hand upon his horse did stay,
upon > [Arthur upon] stay > support
9 And led him to the castle by the beaten way.
211.49
Where many Groomes and Squiers readie were,
2 To take him from his steed full tenderly,
And eke the fairest Alma met him there
4 With balme and wine and costly spicery,
To comfort him in his infirmity;
6 Eftsoones she causd him vp to be conuayd,
And of his armes despoyled easily,
8 In sumptuous bed she made him to be layd,
And all the while his wounds were dressing, by him stayd.
1 Where many grooms and squires ready were
grooms > servants squires > attendants
2 To take him from his steed full tenderly,
full > very
3 And eke the fairest Alma met him there
eke > also, moreover
4 With balm and wine and costly spicery,
spicery > spices
5 To comfort him in his infirmity; 6 Eftsoons she caused him up to be conveyed,
Eftsoons > Soon, thereupon
7 And of his arms despoiled easily,
arms > armour despoiled > stripped
8 In sumptuous bed she made him to be laid, 9 And, all the while his wounds were dressing, by him stayed.
dressing > [being treated]
CANTO XII
Guyon +by+ Palmers gouernance,
2 +passing through+ perils great,
Doth ouerthrow the Bowre of blisse,
4 and Acrasie defeat.
1 by > through 1590 2 passing through > through passing 1590
1 Guyon, by palmer's governance,
palmer > (Guyon's mentor: see 201.7 ff.) governance > management; guidance (the possible arrangements of the commas in this line alter the meaning, applying the palmer's governance either to the sea-passage through "perils great" or to the overthrow of the Bower of Bliss. The original pointing suggests that the palmer's governance applies to both)
2 passing through perils great, 3 Does overthrow the Bower of Bliss, 4 and Acrasy defeat.
Acrasy > Irregularity; disorder; intemperance, all these being personified by Acrasia
212.1
NOw gins this goodly frame of Temperance
2 Fairely to rise, and her adorned hed
To pricke of highest praise forth to aduance,
4 +Formerly+ grounded, and fast setteled
On firme foundation of true bountihed;
6 And this braue knight, that for +that+ vertue fights,
Now comes to point of that same perilous sted,
8 Where Pleasure dwelles in sensuall delights,
Mongst thousand dangers, and ten thousand magick mights.
4 Formerly > Formally conj. Smith; cf. 212.81:5 6 that > this 1590 etc.: FE, probably referring to this word; FE does not give line-numbers
1 Now begins this goodly frame of Temperance
frame > structure, construction, architectural intent [on the part of Spenser]
2 Fairly to rise, and her adorned head
her adorned head > [Guyon]
3 To prick of highest praise forth to advance,
prick > point; hence: pinnacle
4 Formerly grounded and fast settled
Formerly > First (see also Textual Appendix) fast > firmly
5 On firm foundation of true bountihead;
bountihead > bounteousness; goodness, virtue
6 And this brave knight, that for that virtue fights,
brave > brave; splendid, fine
7 Now comes to point of that same perilous stead,
point > [the point, acme, zenith; hence: centre] stead > place
8 Where Pleasure dwells in sensual delights,
Pleasure > Acrasia (cf. 201.0:4)
9 Amongst thousand dangers, and ten thousand magic mights.
mights > powers
212.2
Two dayes now in that sea he sayled has,
2 Ne euer land beheld, ne liuing wight,
Ne ought saue perill, still as he did pas:
4 Tho when appeared the third Morrow bright,
Vpon the waues to spred her trembling light,
6 An hideous roaring farre away they heard,
That all their senses filled with affright,
8 And streight they saw the raging surges reard
Vp to the skyes, that them of drowning made affeard.
1 Two days now in that sea he sailed has, 2 Nor ever land beheld, nor living wight,
wight > person, creature
3 Nor aught save peril, still as he did pass:
still > continually
4 Tho when appeared the third morrow bright,
Tho > Then bright > bright; beautiful
5 Upon the waves to spread its trembling light, 6 A hideous roaring far away they heard,
hideous > terrific; odious
7 That all their senses filled with affright,
affright > terror
8 And straight they saw the raging surges reared
straight > straightway
9 Up to the skies: that them of drowning made afeard.
afeard > frightened
212.3
Said then the Boteman, Palmer stere aright,
2 And keepe an euen course; for yonder way
We needes must passe (God do vs well acquight,)
4 That is the Gulfe of Greedinesse, they say,
That deepe engorgeth all this worldes pray:
6 Which hauing swallowd vp excessiuely,
He soone in vomit vp againe doth lay,
8 And belcheth forth his superfluity,
That all the seas for feare do seeme away to fly.
1 Said then the boatman, "Palmer, steer aright,
aright > straight; correctly
2 And keep an even course; for yonder way 3 We needs must pass (God do us well acquit):
needs > of necessity do us well acquit > [make us acquit ourselves well; do us well deliver]
4 That is the Gulf of Greediness, they say,
Gulf > {Abyss; whirlpool; yawning chasm}
5 That deep engorges all this world's prey;
engorges > devours
6 Which, having swallowed up excessively,
excessively > excessively; greedily, intemperately
7 It soon in vomit up again does lay,
lay > deposit
8 And belches forth its superfluity,
belches > spews
9 That all the seas for fear do seem away to fly.
That > [So that] fly > flee
212.4
On th'other side an hideous Rocke is pight,
2 Of mightie Magnes stone, whose craggie clift
Depending from on high, dreadfull to sight,
4 Ouer the waues his rugged armes doth lift,
And threatneth downe to throw his ragged rift
6 On who so commeth nigh; yet nigh it drawes
All passengers, that none from it can shift:
8 For whiles they fly that Gulfes deuouring iawes,
They on this rock are rent, and sunck in helplesse wawes.
1 "On the other side a hideous rock is pight,
hideous > immense pight > pitched, placed
2 Of mighty Magnes stone, whose craggy cliff
Magnes stone > loadstone, magnetite (named after Magnes (Magnesia) in Thessaly)
3 Depending from on high, dreadful to sight,
Depending > Suspended sight > see, view; the sight
4 Over the waves its rugged arms does lift, 5 And threatens down to throw its ragged rift
rift > ?rock fragments, ?rubble (cf. 108.22:8, 207.28:3-6)
6 On whoso comes nigh; yet nigh it draws
whoso > whoever draws > (Because Magnes stone was supposed to attract ships by their ironwork)
7 All passengers, that none from it can shift:
passengers > passers-by that > [so that]
8 For while they fly that gulf's devouring jaws,
fly > flee
9 They on this rock are rent, and sunk in helpless waves."
rent > torn, split helpless > {Affording no help}
212.5
Forward they passe, and strongly he them rowes,
2 Vntill they nigh vnto that Gulfe arriue,
Where streame more violent and greedy growes:
4 Then he with all his puissance doth striue
To strike his oares, and mightily doth driue
6 The hollow vessell through the threatfull waue,
Which gaping wide, to swallow them aliue,
8 In th'huge abysse of his engulfing graue,
Doth rore at them in vaine, and with great terror raue.
1 Forward they pass, and strongly he them rows, 2 Until they nigh to that gulf arrive, 3 Where stream more violent and greedy grows:
stream > [the] current
4 Then he with all his puissance does strive
puissance > strength
5 To strike his oars, and mightily does drive
strike > [make strokes with (rather than the usual nautical meaning: cf. 112.42:1)]
6 The hollow vessel through the threatful wave, 7 Which, gaping wide to swallow them alive 8 In the huge abyss of its engulfing grave, 9 Does roar at them in vain, and with great terror rave.
212.6
They passing by, that griesly mouth did see,
2 Sucking the seas into his entralles deepe,
That seem'd more horrible then hell to bee,
4 Or that darke dreadfull hole of Tartare steepe,
Through which the damned ghosts doen often creepe
6 Backe to the world, bad liuers to torment:
But nought that falles into this direfull deepe,
8 Ne that approcheth nigh the wide descent,
May backe returne, but is condemned to be drent.
1 They, passing by, that grisly mouth did see,
grisly > horrible, fearsome
2 Sucking the seas into its entrails deep,
entrails > bowels, inner parts
3 That seemed more horrible than hell to be, 4 Or that dark dreadful hole of Tartarus steep,
that dark dreadful hole > (Lake Avernus, a volcanic lake near Naples; near it was the cave of the Cumaean Sibyl, through which Aeneas descended to the infernal regions) Tartarus > (The underworld of Roman mythology, the infernal regions; the lowest part of these; hell) steep > (Qualifying the hole rather than Tartarus)
5 Through which the damned ghosts do often creep 6 Back to the world, bad livers to torment:
bad livers > [those who live badly]
7 But naught that falls into this direful deep, 8 Nor that approaches nigh the wide descent, 9 May back return, but is condemned to be drenched.
drenched > drowned
212.7
On th'other side, they saw that perilous Rocke,
2 Threatning it selfe on them to ruinate,
On whose sharpe clifts the ribs of vessels broke,
4 And shiuered ships, which had bene wrecked late,
Yet stuck, with carkasses exanimate
6 Of such, as hauing all their substance spent
In wanton ioyes, and lustes intemperate,
8 Did afterwards make shipwracke violent,
Both of their life, and fame for euer fowly blent.
1 On the other side they saw that perilous rock, 2 Threatening itself on them to ruinate,
ruinate > bring destruction
3 On whose sharp cliffs the ribs of vessels broken,
ribs > {Curved frame-timbers, extending from the keel to the top of the hull}
4 And shivered ships, which had been wrecked late,
shivered > split, shattered late > lately
5 Yet stuck, with carcases exanimate
exanimate > inanimate; lacking spirits, lacking souls
6 Of such as, having all their substance spent
such > [such people]
7 In wanton joys and lusts intemperate, 8 Did afterwards make shipwreck violent, 9 Both of their life, and fame for ever foully blended.
blended > stirred up; hence: rendered turbid, spoiled, defiled
212.8
For thy, this hight The Rocke of vile Reproch,
2 A daungerous and detestable place,
To which nor fish nor fowle did once approch,
4 But yelling Meawes, with Seagulles hoarse and bace,
And Cormoyrants, with birds of rauenous race,
6 Which still sate +waiting+ on that wastfull clift,
For spoyle of wretches, whose vnhappie cace,
8 After lost credite and consumed thrift,
At last them driuen hath to this despairefull drift.
6 waiting > weiting 1590; wayting FE
1 For-thy, this hight the Rock of vile Reproach,
For-thy > For this reason hight > is called
2 A dangerous and detestable place, 3 To which +nor+ fish nor fowl did once approach,
nor > neither
4 But yelling mews, with seagulls hoarse and base,
But > Except mew > {The common gull, Larus canus, which has a mewing cry} seagulls > (Probably denoting the larger species, such as herring gull, Larus argentatus, great black-backed gull, L. marinus, etc., which have deeper cries) base > (Because gulls are associated with deception; or: bass, of their voices)
5 And cormorants, with birds of ravenous race,
cormorant > (Phalacrocorax sp., the sea-raven, noted for its greed) ravenous > {Ravenous; given to ravin or robbery; also, perhaps, punningly: raven-like}
6 Which still sat waiting on that wasteful cliff,
still > continuously waiting > keeping watch wasteful > desolate
7 For spoil of wretches, whose unhappy case,
spoil > plunder, booty
8 After lost credit and consumed thrift,
thrift > prosperity; savings
9 At last them driven has to this despairful drift.
drift > {The condition of being driven}
212.9
The Palmer seeing them in safetie past,
2 Thus said; +behold+ th'ensamples in our sights,
Of lustfull luxurie and thriftlesse wast:
4 What now is left of miserable wights,
Which spent their looser daies in lewd delights,
6 But shame and sad reproch, here to be red,
By these rent reliques, speaking their ill plights?
8 Let all that liue, hereby be counselled,
To shunne Rocke of Reproch, and it as death to dred.
2 behold > Behold 1609
1 The palmer, seeing them in safety past,
them > [himself, Guyon, and the ferryman]
2 Thus said: "Behold the examples in our sight 3 Of lustful luxury and thriftless waste:
luxury > surfeit, excess; dissipation thriftless > improvident
4 What now is left of miserable wights
wights > people
5 Who spent their looser days in lewd delights,
looser > too-loose lewd > lewd, wanton; ignorant, good-for-nothing
6 But shame and sad reproach, here to be read
But > Except read > seen
7 By these rent relics, speaking their ill plights?
rent > torn, shattered speaking > bespeaking, giving evidence of; expressive of ill > evil
8 Let all that live, hereby be counselled 9 To shun Rock of Reproach, and it as death to dread."
212.10
So forth they rowed, and that Ferryman
2 With his stiffe oares did brush the sea so strong,
That the hoare waters from his frigot ran,
4 And the light bubbles daunced all along,
Whiles the salt brine out of the billowes sprong.
6 At last farre off they many Islands spy,
On euery side floting the floods emong:
8 Then said the knight, Loe I the land descry,
Therefore old Syre thy course do thereunto apply.
1 So forth they rowed, and that ferryman 2 With his stiff oars did brush the sea so strong
stiff > resolute, steadfast; strong
3 That the hoar waters from his frigate ran,
hoar > grey-white; hence: foamy frigate > (Light and swift boat; cf. 206.7:9)
4 And the light bubbles danced all along, 5 While the salt brine out of the billows sprang. 6 At last, far off, they many islands spy, 7 On every side floating the floods among:
floods > waters; hence: waves
8 Then said the knight, "Lo I the land descry, 9 Therefore, old sire, your course do thereto apply."
sire > {Father; term of respect accorded to an elderly man} apply > steer (as 207.1:8)
212.11
That may not be, said then the Ferryman
2 Least we vnweeting hap to be fordonne:
For those same Islands, seeming now and than,
4 Are not firme lande, nor any certein wonne,
But straggling plots, which to and fro do ronne
6 In the wide waters: therefore are they hight
The wandring Islands. Therefore doe them shonne;
8 For they haue oft drawne many a wandring wight
Into most deadly daunger and distressed plight.
1 "That may not be," said then the ferryman, 2 "Lest we unweeting hap to be fordone:
3 For those same islands, seeming now and then,
seeming > appearing
4 Are not firm land, nor any certain wone,
certain > fixed, definite; established wone > country; dwelling-place
5 But straggling plots, which to and fro do run
straggling > wandering
6 In the wide waters: therefore are they hight
hight > called
7 The Wandering Islands. Therefore do them shun; 8 For they have oft drawn many a wandering wight
wight > person, mortal
9 Into most deadly danger and distressed plight.
212.12
Yet well they seeme to him, that farre doth vew,
2 Both faire and fruitfull, and the ground +dispred+
With grassie greene of delectable hew,
4 And the tall trees with leaues apparelled,
Are deckt with blossomes dyde in white and red,
6 That mote the passengers thereto allure;
But whosoeuer once hath fastened
8 His foot thereon, may neuer it recure,
But wandreth euer more vncertein and vnsure.
2 dispred > disspred 1609
1 "Yet well they seem to him that far does view,
far > [from afar]
2 Both fair and fruitful, and the ground dispread
dispread > spread
3 With grassy green of delectable hue,
hue > colour; appearance
4 And the tall trees, with leaves apparelled, 5 Are decked with blossoms dyed in white and red, 6 That might the passengers thereto allure;
passengers > passers-by
7 But whosoever once has fastened 8 His foot thereon, may never it recure,
recure > recover
9 But wanders, ever more uncertain and unsure.
212.13
As th'Isle of Delos whylome men report
2 Amid th'Aeg{ae}an sea long time did stray,
Ne made for shipping any certaine port,
4 Till that Latona traueiling that way,
Flying from Iunoes wrath and hard assay,
6 Of her faire twins was there deliuered,
Which afterwards did rule the night and day;
8 Thenceforth it firmely was established,
And for Apolloes +honor+ highly herried.
9 honor > temple 1590
1 "As the Isle of Delos whilom, men report,
Delos > (The smallest of the Cyclades, a floating island till Jupiter chained it to the sea-bed so that Latona, pregnant with Apollo and Diana, might have a secure resting-place for the birth: see Met. 6.157-381) whilom > in ancient times
2 Amid the Aegean Sea long time did stray, 3 Nor made for shipping any certain port,
certain > fixed
4 Till Latona, travelling that way
Latona > (Mother of Apollo and Diana, fathered by Jupiter, and thus persecuted by Juno)
5 (Flying from Juno's wrath and hard assay),
Flying > Fleeing Juno > (Wife and sister of Jupiter) assay > trials; assaults
6 Of her fair twins was there delivered, 7 Which afterwards did rule the night and day;
night and day > (Diana is goddess of the moon and Apollo god of the sun)
8 Thenceforth it firmly was established,
it > [Delos]
9 And for Apollo's honour highly heried."
heried > exalted, praised; worshipped
212.14
They to him hearken, as beseemeth meete,
2 And passe on forward: so their way does ly,
That one of those same Islands, which doe fleet
4 In the wide sea, they needes must passen by,
Which seemd so sweet and pleasant to the eye,
6 That it would tempt a man to touchen there:
Vpon the banck they sitting did espy
8 A daintie damzell, dressing of her heare,
By whom a litle skippet floting did appeare.
1 They to him hearken, as beseems meet,
beseems meet > seems fitting
2 And pass on forward: so their way does lie
so > thus
3 That one of those same islands, which do fleet
fleet > float, drift
4 In the wide sea, they needs must pass by,
needs > of necessity
5 Which seemed so sweet and pleasant to the eye 6 That it would tempt a man to touch there:
touch > land, visit
7 Upon the bank they sitting did espy
bank > shore
8 A dainty damsel, dressing her hair, 9 By whom a little skippet floating did appear.
skippet > skiff, small boat (see 206.2-5)
212.15
She them espying, loud to them +can+ call,
2 Bidding them nigher draw vnto the shore;
For she had cause to busie them withall;
4 And therewith loudly laught: But nathemore
Would they once turne, but kept on as afore:
6 Which when she saw, she left her lockes vndight,
And running to her boat withouten ore,
8 From the departing land it launched light,
And after them did driue with all her power and might.
1 can > gan 1609
1 She, them espying, loud to them can call,
can > did
2 Bidding them nigher draw to the shore; 3 For she had cause to busy them withal; 4 And therewith loudly laughed: but nathemore
therewith > with that nathemore > not at all
5 Would they once turn, but kept on as afore:
afore > previously
6 Which when she saw, she left her locks undight,
undight > unprepared; hence: unbrushed, untied (cf. 212.14:8)
7 And running to her boat without oar,
boat without oar > (See 206.5)
8 From the departing land it launched light,
light > quickly
9 And after them did drive with all her power and might.
212.16
Whom ouertaking, she in merry sort
2 Them gan to bord, and purpose diuersly,
Now faining dalliance and wanton sport,
4 Now throwing forth lewd words immodestly;
Till that the Palmer gan full bitterly
6 Her to rebuke, for being loose and light:
Which not abiding, but more scornefully
8 Scoffing at him, that did her iustly wite,
She turnd her bote about, and from them rowed quite.
1 Whom overtaking, she in merry sort
merry > delightful, charming; mirthful sort > manner
2 Them began to board, and purpose diversely,
board > accost, draw near to and address purpose > discourse, talk
3 Now faining dalliance and wanton sport,
faining > rejoicing in; feigning dalliance > {Idle and amusing talk, banter} wanton > playful, frisky; wanton
4 Now throwing forth lewd words immodestly; 5 Till the palmer began full bitterly
full > very
6 Her to rebuke, for being loose and light: 7 Which not abiding, but more scornfully
abiding > tolerating
8 Scoffing at him that did her justly wite,
wite > reproach
9 She turned her boat about, and from them rowed quite.
rowed > (Not literally: her boat is propelled without oars)
212.17
That was the wanton Ph{oe}dria, which late
2 Did ferry him ouer the Idle lake:
Whom nought regarding, they kept on their gate,
4 And all her vaine allurements did forsake,
When them the wary Boateman thus bespake;
6 Here now behoueth vs well to auyse,
And of our safetie good heede to take;
8 For here before a perlous passage lyes,
Where many Mermayds haunt, making false melodies.
1 That was the wanton Phaedria, who late
late > lately
2 Did ferry him over the Idle Lake:
him > [Guyon: see 206.20-3, 206.38]
3 Whom naught regarding, they kept on their gate,
gate > way, manner of going (closely cognate with "gait"); hence: course
4 And all her vain allurements did forsake,
vain > empty, futile; foolish allurements > charms, baits
5 When them the wary boatman thus bespoke:
bespoke > addressed
6 "Here now behoves us well to advise,
behoves > [it behoves] advise > take stock, consider
7 And of our safety good heed to take; 8 For here before a perilous passage lies,
before > ahead
9 Where many mermaids haunt, making false melodies.
haunt > resort, frequent
212.18
But by the way, there is a great Quicksand,
2 And a whirlepoole of hidden ieopardy,
Therefore, Sir Palmer, keepe an euen hand;
4 For twixt them both the narrow way doth ly.
Scarse had he said, when hard at hand they spy
6 That quicksand nigh with water couered;
But by the checked waue they did descry
8 It plaine, and by the sea discoloured:
It called was the quicksand of Vnthriftyhed.
1 "But by the way, there is a great quicksand,
by > beside way > passage, course
2 And a whirlpool of hidden jeopardy; 3 Therefore, sir palmer, keep an even hand:
even > straight, direct (the palmer is steering)
4 For 'twixt them both the narrow way does lie." 5 Scarce had he said, when hard at hand they spy
said > spoken
6 That quicksand nigh with water covered; 7 But by the checked wave they did descry
by > by means of; or perhaps: through checked > chequered, patterned (because of contrary currents and the shallowness of the water)
8 It plain, and by the sea discoloured: 9 It called was the quicksand of Unthriftihead.
Unthriftihead > Extravagance, Dissolution
212.19
They passing by, a goodly Ship did see,
2 Laden from far with precious merchandize,
And brauely furnished, as ship might bee,
4 Which through great disauenture, or +mesprize+,
Her selfe had runne into that hazardize;
6 Whose mariners and merchants with much toyle,
Labour'd in vaine, to haue recur'd their prize,
8 And the rich wares to saue from pitteous spoyle,
But neither toyle nor trauell might her backe recoyle.
4 mesprize > misprize 1609
1 They, passing by, a goodly ship did see,
goodly > fine, beautiful
2 Laden from far with precious merchandise, 3 And bravely furnished as ship might be,
bravely > [as] splendidly, finely furnished > fitted; decorated
4 Which through great disadventure, or misprize,
disadventure > misfortune misprize > error (SUFQ); or: failure to appreciate [the danger of the quicksand]
5 Herself had run into that hazardize;
hazardize > hazard, peril (WU)
6 Whose mariners and merchants, with much toil, 7 Laboured in vain to have recured their prize,
recured > recovered prize > {A ship or property captured at sea; here "captured" by the quicksand}
8 And the rich wares to save from piteous spoil,
spoil > spoliation
9 But neither toil nor travail might her back recoil.
travail > labour, painful labour back recoil > draw back, recover (pleonastic, and thus intensive)