5 Meet for its temper and complexion:
Meet > Suitable temper > {Character, quality; temperament, i.e. the combination of bodily "humours"} complexion > {Nature; bodily or mental habit; temperament}
6 For forms are variable and decay, 7 By course of kind, and by occasion;
kind > nature occasion > necessity; course of events, force of circumstance
8 And that fair flower of beauty fades away, 9 As does the lily fresh before the sunny ray.
306.39
Great enimy to it, and +to+ all the rest,
2 That in the Gardin of Adonis springs,
Is wicked Time, who with his scyth addrest,
4 Does mow the flowring herbes and goodly things,
And all their glory to the ground downe flings,
6 Where they doe wither, and are fowly mard:
He flyes about, and with his flaggy wings
8 Beates downe both leaues and buds without regard,
Ne euer pittie may relent his malice hard.
1 to > omitted from 1611, for the sake of the metre
1 Great enemy to it (and to all the rest, 2 That in the Garden of Adonis springs)
springs > grows
3 Is wicked Time, who, with his scythe addressed,
addressed > armed, equipped
4 Does mow the flowering herbs and goodly things,
goodly > beautiful
5 And all their glory to the ground down-flings, 6 Where they do wither, and are foully marred:
marred > spoiled; debased; ruined
7 He flies about, and with his flaggy wings
flaggy > drooping
8 Beats down both leaves and buds without regard, 9 Ne ever pity may relent his malice hard.
Ne ever > Nor ever; never may > can relent > soften, cause to relent
306.40
Yet pittie often did the gods relent,
2 To see so faire things mard, and spoyled quight:
And their great mother Venus did lament
4 The losse of her deare brood, her deare delight;
Her hart was pierst with pittie at the sight,
6 When walking through the Gardin, them she +spyde+,
Yet no'te she find redresse for such despight.
8 For all that liues, is subiect to that law:
All things decay in time, and to their end do draw.
6 spyde > saw sugg. various editors
1 Yet pity often did the gods relent,
relent > soften, cause to relent
2 To see so fair things marred, and spoiled quite:
so > such marred > debased
3 And their great mother Venus did lament 4 The loss of her dear brood, her dear delight; 5 Her heart was pierced with pity at the sight 6 When, walking through the Garden, them she spied, 7 Yet no'te she find redress for such despite.
no'te she > she could not despite > outrage; malice, maliciousness
8 For all that lives is subject to that law: 9 All things decay in time, and to their end do draw.
306.41
But were it not, that Time their troubler is,
2 All that in this delightfull Gardin growes,
Should happie be, and haue immortall blis:
4 For here all plentie, and all pleasure flowes,
And sweet loue gentle fits emongst them throwes,
6 Without fell rancor, or fond gealosie;
Franckly each paramour his leman knowes,
8 Each bird his mate, ne any does enuie
Their goodly meriment, and gay felicitie.
1 But were it not that Time their troubler is, 2 All that in this delightful garden grows 3 Should happy be, and have immortal bliss:
happy > happy; fortunate
4 For here all plenty, and all pleasure flow, 5 And sweet Love gentle fits amongst them throws, 6 Without fell rancour, or fond jealousy;
fell > fierce fond > foolish
7 Frankly each paramour his leman knows,
Frankly > Freely leman > lover knows > {In the Hebrew sense: has carnal knowledge of}
8 Each bird his mate, nor any does envy
Each > [And each] envy > begrudge
9 Their goodly merriment, and gay felicity.
merriment > entertainment
306.42
There is continuall spring, and haruest there
2 Continuall, both meeting at one time:
For both the boughes doe laughing blossomes beare,
4 And with fresh colours decke the wanton Prime,
And eke attonce the +heauy+ trees they clime,
6 Which seeme to labour vnder their fruits lode:
The whiles the ioyous birdes make their pastime
8 Emongst the shadie leaues, their sweet abode,
And their true loues without suspition tell abrode.
5 heauy > heauenly 1590
1 There is continual spring, and harvest there
harvest > autumn; harvest-time
2 Continual, both meeting at one time: 3 For both the boughs do laughing blossoms bear,
the boughs do > [do the boughs]
4 And with fresh colours deck the wanton prime,
wanton > rank, luxuriant, hence: abundant; undisciplined, unchaste prime > springtime
5 And eke at once the heavy trees they climb,
eke > also at once > simultaneously, together heavy > (See Textual Appendix) they > (An ambiguous pronoun. Refers perhaps to all the creatures in the garden, or just to the birds. Most likely it is redundant (i.e. it is the trees which climb), the word being included only for the sake of the metre)
6 Which seem to labour under their fruits' load: 7 The whiles the joyous birds make their pastime
The whiles > Meanwhile
8 Amongst the shady leaves, their sweet abode, 9 And their true loves without suspicion tell abroad.
tell > [sing]
306.43
Right in the middest of that Paradise,
2 There stood a stately Mount, on whose round top
A gloomy groue of mirtle trees did rise,
4 Whose shadie boughes sharpe steele did neuer lop,
Nor wicked beasts their tender buds did crop,
6 But like a girlond compassed the hight,
And from their fruitfull sides sweet gum did drop,
8 That all the ground with precious deaw bedight,
Threw forth most dainty odours, and most sweet delight.
1 Right in the middest of that paradise
middest > middle
2 There stood a stately mount, on whose round top 3 A gloomy grove of myrtle trees did rise,
myrtle > (Held sacred to Venus, and used as an emblem of love)
4 Whose shady boughs sharp steel did never lop, 5 Nor wicked beasts their tender buds did crop, 6 But like a garland compassed the height,
compassed > encircled, enclosed height > summit
7 And from their fruitful sides sweet gum did drop, 8 That all the ground with precious dew bedight,
That > (Marks the start of an ambiguous construction, the alter- native readings being (1) "[So] that all the ground, with precious dew bedight, Threw forth …" and (2) "That all the ground with precious dew bedight, [And] threw …") bedight > adorned, arrayed
9 Threw forth most dainty odours, and most sweet delight.
dainty > delightful
306.44
And in the thickest couert of that shade,
2 There was a pleasant arbour, not by art,
But of the trees owne inclination made,
4 Which knitting their rancke braunches part to part,
With wanton yuie twyne entrayld athwart,
6 And Eglantine, and Caprifole emong,
Fashiond aboue within their inmost part,
8 That nether Ph{oe}bus beams could through them throng,
Nor Aeolus sharp blast could worke them any wrong.
1 And in the thickest covert of that shade 2 There was a pleasant arbour, not by art, 3 But of the trees' own inclination made,
of > by inclination > (Lit. and fig.)
4 Which, knitting their rank branches part to part, 5 With wanton ivy twine entrailed athwart,
wanton > rank, luxuriant (cf. 205.29:2-4) entrailed > entwined (formed on OFr treille, trellis)
6 And eglantine, and caprifoil among,
eglantine > sweetbrier (Rosa rubiginosa) caprifoil > honeysuckle
7 Fashioned above within their inmost part, 8 That neither Phoebus' beams could through them throng,
That > [So that] throng > force their way
9 Nor Aeolus' sharp blast could work them any wrong.
work > do, cause
306.45
And all about grew euery sort of flowre,
2 To which sad louers were transformd of yore;
Fresh Hyacinthus, Ph{oe}bus paramoure,
4
Foolish Narcisse, that likes the watry shore,
6 Sad Amaranthus, made a flowre but late,
Sad Amaranthus, in whose purple gore
8 Me seemes I see Amintas wretched fate,
To whom sweet Poets verse hath giuen endlesse date.
4 > this line was added in 1609: And dearest loue,
1 And all about grew every sort of flower, 2 To which sad lovers were transformed of yore:
of yore > in former times
3 Fresh Hyacinth, Phoebus' paramour,
Hyacinth > (The lily, which sprang from the blood of the beautiful youth Hyacinth, son of the Spartan king Amyclas. Hyacinth received the attentions of Apollo and Zephyr, god of the west wind; Zephyr's interest was not reciprocated. One day, when Apollo and Hyacinth were playing at quoits, the jealous Zephyr caused one of Apollo's quoits to drift in flight and strike Hyacinth on the head, killing him instantly. See Met. 10.162- 219)
4 And dearest love; 5 Foolish Narcissus, that likes the watery shore;
Narcissus > (A beautiful youth who became so enamoured of his own reflection in a pool that he gradually pined away and was metamorphosed into a flower; see Met. 3.339-510, DGDG 4.9-10, 302.44:6-45:4)
6 Sad Amarant, made a flower but late,
Amarant > (An imaginary flower that never withers (Greek amarantos, unfading); cf. PL 3.353. The name is applied to the genus Amaranthus, with coloured foliage, which includes Love-lies- bleeding, A. caudatus) late > lately
7 Sad Amarant, in whose purple gore
purple > red, blood-red
8 Me seems I see Amintas' wretched fate,
Me seems > [It seems to me]
Amintas > (Perhaps an allusion to Sir Philip Sidney; cf. CC 434-9)
9 To whom sweet poets' verse has given endless date.
verse > (E.g. "Astrophel", by Spenser; "The Doleful Lay of Clarinda", probably by Sidney's sister, Mary, Countess of Pembroke, and other elegies to Sidney) date > term, span of life; hence: endless date = immortality
306.46
There wont faire Venus often to enioy
2 Her deare Adonis ioyous company,
And reape sweet pleasure of the wanton boy;
4 There yet, some say, in secret he does ly,
Lapped in flowres and pretious spycery,
6 By her hid from the world, and from the skill
Of Stygian Gods, which doe her loue enuy;
8 But she her selfe, when euer that she will,
Possesseth him, and of his sweetnesse takes her fill.
1 There wont fair Venus often to enjoy
wont > was accustomed
2 Her dear Adonis' joyous company,
company > sexual company
3 And reap sweet pleasure of the wanton boy; 4 There yet, some say, in secret he does lie, 5 Lapped in flowers and precious spicery,
Lapped > Enfolded, swathed spicery > spices
6 By her hid from the world, and from the skill
skill > knowledge; skill (i.e. in dealing death)
7 Of Stygian gods, which do her love envy;
Stygian > {Pertaining to the River Styx, one of the five rivers of hell, over which Charon ferries the souls of the departed; used also as a synonym for "infernal", "hellish"} envy > begrudge, resent
8 But she herself, whenever she will, 9 Possesses him, and of his sweetness takes her fill.
306.47
And sooth it seemes they say: for he may not
2 For euer die, and euer buried bee
In balefull night, where all things are forgot;
4 All be he subiect to mortalitie,
Yet is eterne in mutabilitie,
6 And by succession made perpetuall,
Transformed oft, and chaunged diuerslie:
8 For him the Father of all formes they call;
Therefore needs mote he liue, that liuing giues to all.
1 And sooth it seems they say: for he may not
sooth > truly, truthfully say > speak may not > cannot
2 For ever die, and ever buried be 3 In baleful night, where all things are forgotten;
baleful > deadly, miserable
4 All be he subject to mortality,
All > Although
5 Yet is eterne in mutability,
is eterne > [he is eternal]
6 And by succession made perpetual, 7 Transformed oft, and changed diversely: 8 For him the father of all forms they call; 9 Therefore needs might he live, that living gives to all.
needs might he live > [it is necessary that he shall live]
306.48
There now he liueth in eternall blis,
2 Ioying his goddesse, and of her enioyd:
Ne feareth he henceforth that foe of his,
4 Which with his cruell tuske him deadly cloyd:
For that wilde Bore, the which him once annoyd,
6 She firmely hath emprisoned for ay,
That her sweet loue his malice mote auoyd,
8 In a strong rocky Caue, which is they say,
Hewen vnderneath that Mount, that none him +losen+ may.
9 losen > loosen 1609
1 There now he lives in eternal bliss, 2 Joying his goddess, and of her enjoyed:
Joying > Enjoying of > by
3 Nor fears he henceforth that foe of his,
that foe of his > (The boar which killed him; see note at 306.0)
4 Which with its cruel tusk him deadly cloyed:
deadly > mortally cloyed > pierced, spiked, hence: gored; or, perhaps: nauseated, wearied (consonant with the allegorical import of Adonis's death)
5 For that wild boar, which him once annoyed,
annoyed > molested, injured
6 She firmly has imprisoned for ay,
ay > ever
7 That her sweet love its malice might avoid,
That > [So that]
8 In a strong rocky cave, which is, they say, 9 Hewn underneath that mount, that none it loosen may.
that mount > (Referred to at 306.43:2) that > [so that] loosen > undo, untie; hence: set free
306.49
There now he liues in euerlasting ioy,
2 With many of the Gods in company,
Which thither haunt, and with the winged boy
4 Sporting himselfe in safe felicity:
Who when he hath with spoiles and cruelty
6 Ransackt the world, and in the wofull harts
Of many wretches set his triumphes hye,
8 Thither resorts, and laying his sad darts
Aside, with faire Adonis playes his wanton parts.
1 There now he lives in everlasting joy, 2 With many of the gods in company, 3 Which thither haunt, and with the winged boy
haunt > resort the winged boy > [Cupid]
4 Sporting himself in safe felicity: 5 Who, when he has with spoils and cruelty
Who > [Cupid]
6 Ransacked the world, and in the woeful hearts 7 Of many wretches set his triumphs high,
triumphs > (The word "triumph" is cognate with the Greek triambos, meaning a hymn to Bacchus, the god of wine, associated with madness and frenzy. Bacchus compelled the women of Thebes to celebrate festivals to him on Mount Cytheron (see 306.29:4); perhaps this connexion was in Spenser's mind)
8 Thither resorts, and laying his sad darts
sad darts > grievous arrows
9 Aside, with fair Adonis plays his wanton parts.
306.50
And his true loue faire Psyche with him playes,
2 Faire Psyche to him lately reconcyld,
After long troubles and vnmeet vpbrayes,
4 With which his mother Venus her reuyld,
And eke himselfe her cruelly exyld:
6 But now in stedfast loue and happy state
She with him liues, and hath him borne a chyld,
8 Pleasure, that doth both gods and men aggrate,
Pleasure, the daughter of Cupid and Psyche late.
1 And his true love, fair Psyche, with him plays,
Psyche > ("The Soul"; her allegorical story is told in The Golden
Ass by Apuleius)
2 Fair Psyche, to him lately reconciled 3 After long troubles and unmeet upbrays,
unmeet > unfitting; hence: unfair, unreasonable upbrays > reproaches, reproofs
4 With which his mother, Venus, her reviled, 5 And eke himself her cruelly exiled:
eke > also
6 But now in steadfast love and happy state 7 She with him lives, and has him borne a child, 8 Pleasure, that does both gods and men aggrate,
Pleasure > (Volupia or Voluptas, the personification of sensual pleasure) aggrate > please; gratify (SUS)
9 Pleasure, the daughter of Cupid and Psyche late.
late > late (i.e. recently deceased, qualifying "Psyche"); recent (qualifying "daughter")
306.51
Hither great Venus brought this infant faire,
2 The younger daughter of Chrysogonee,
And vnto Psyche with great trust and care
4 Committed her, yfostered to bee,
And trained vp in true feminitee:
6 Who no lesse carefully her tendered,
Then her owne daughter Pleasure, to whom shee
8 Made her companion, and her lessoned
In all the lore of loue, and goodly womanhead.
1 Hither great Venus brought this infant fair, 2 The younger daughter of Chrysogone, 3 And to Psyche with great trust and care 4 Committed her, fostered to be, 5 And trained up in true feminity:
feminity > femininity
6 Who no less carefully her tendered
tendered > {Treated with proper regard}
7 Than her own daughter Pleasure, to whom she 8 Made her companion, and her lessoned
lessoned > instructed
9 In all the lore of love, and goodly womanhood.
lore > teaching, doctrine
306.52
In which when she to perfect ripenesse grew,
2 Of grace and beautie noble Paragone,
She brought her forth into the worldes vew,
4 To be th'ensample of true loue alone,
And Lodestarre of all chaste affectione,
6 To all faire Ladies, that doe liue on ground.
To Faery court she came, where many one
8 Admyrd her goodly haueour, and found
His feeble hart wide +launched+ with loues cruell wound.
9 launched > launch 1590; launced 1609
1 In which when she to perfect ripeness grew, 2 Of grace and beauty noble paragon, 3 She brought her forth into the world's view, 4 To be the example of true love alone,
example > model, pattern
5 And lodestar of all chaste affection, 6 To all fair ladies, that do live on ground.
on ground > in the world
7 To Faery court she came, where many one 8 Admired her goodly haviour, and found
goodly > beautiful haviour > deportment, bearing; behaviour
9 His feeble heart wide lanced with love's cruel wound.
306.53
But she to none of them her loue did cast,
2 Saue to the noble knight Sir Scudamore,
To whom her louing hart she linked fast
4 In +faithfull+ loue, t'abide for euermore,
And for his dearest sake endured sore,
6 Sore trouble of an hainous enimy;
Who her would forced haue to haue forlore
8 Her former loue, and stedfast loialty,
As ye may elsewhere read that ruefull history.
4 faithfull > fathfull 1596
1 But she to none of them her love did cast,
to > [on] cast > confer
2 Save to the noble knight Sir Scudamour,
to > [on] Scudamour > "Shield of Love" (French, {e/}cu d'amour)
3 To whom her loving heart she linked fast
fast > firmly; very closely
4 In faithful love, to abide for evermore, 5 And for his dearest sake endured sore, 6 Sore trouble of a heinous enemy; 7 Who her would forced have to have forlore
forlore > forsaken
8 Her former love, and steadfast loyalty, 9 As you may elsewhere read that rueful history.
elsewhere > (311.16 ff.) history > story
306.54
But well I weene, ye first desire to learne,
2 What end vnto that fearefull Damozell,
Which fled so fast from that same foster stearne,
4 Whom with his brethren Timias slew, befell:
That was to weet, the goodly Florimell;
6 Who wandring for to seeke her louer deare,
Her louer deare, her dearest Marinell,
8 Into misfortune fell, as ye did heare,
And from Prince Arthur fled with wings of idle feare.
1 But well I ween, you first desire to learn
ween > believe, suppose
2 What end that fearful damsel, 3 Who fled so fast from that same foster stern
foster > forester stern > grim; fierce; cruel
4 (Whom, with his brethren, Timias slew), befell:
brethren > brothers
5 That was, to weet, the goodly Florimell
to weet > to know, to wit goodly > beautiful
6 Who, wandering to seek her lover dear, 7 Her lover dear, her dearest Marinell, 8 Into misfortune fell, as you did hear, 9 And from Prince Arthur fled with wings of idle fear.
idle > foolish (see 304.48 ff.)
CANTO VII
The witches sonne loues Florimell:
2 she flyes, he faines to die.
Satyrane saues the Squire of Dames
4 from Gyants tyrannie.
1 The witch's son loves Florimell: 2 she flies, he fains to die.
flies > flees fains > rejoices, is glad; hence: wishes
3 Satyrane saves the Squire of Dames 4 from giant's tyranny.
307.1
LIke as an Hynd forth singled from the heard,
2 That hath escaped from a rauenous beast,
Yet flyes away of her owne feet affeard,
4 And euery leafe, that shaketh with the least
Murmure of winde, her terror hath encreast;
6 So fled faire Florimell from her vaine feare,
Long after she from perill was releast:
8 Each shade she saw, and each noyse she did heare,
Did seeme to be the same, which she escapt whyleare.
1 Like a hind forth singled from the herd, 2 That has escaped from a ravenous beast, 3 Yet flies away, of her own feet afeard,
afeard > frightened
4 And every leaf, that shakes with the least 5 Murmur of wind, her terror has increased; 6 So fled fair Florimell from her vain fear,
vain > foolish; empty
7 Long after she from peril was released: 8 Each shade she saw, and each noise she did hear,
shade > shadow
9 Did seem to be the same which she escaped whilere.
whilere > erewhile: a while before
307.2
All that same euening she in flying spent,
2 And all that night her course continewed:
Ne did she let dull sleepe once to relent,
4 Nor wearinesse to slacke her hast, but fled
Euer alike, as if her former dred
6 Were hard behind, her readie to arrest:
And her white Palfrey hauing conquered
8 The maistring raines out of her weary wrest,
Perforce her carried, where euer he thought best.
1 All that same evening she in flying spent,
flying > fleeing
2 And all that night her course continued: 3 Nor did she let dull sleep once to relent,
relent > lessen, abate
4 Nor weariness to slack, her haste, but fled 5 Ever alike, as if her former dread
alike > in the same manner dread > dread; object of dread
6 Were hard behind, her ready to arrest:
hard > close arrest > catch, apprehend
7 And her white palfrey, having conquered
palfrey > {Saddle-horse for ladies} conquered > won, got possession of
8 The mastering reins out of her weary wrist, 9 Perforce her carried wherever he thought best.
Perforce > Forcibly; perforce
307.3
So long as breath, and hable puissance
2 Did natiue courage vnto him supply,
His pace he freshly forward did aduaunce,
4 And carried her beyond all ieopardy,
But nought that wanteth rest, can long aby.
6 He hauing through incessant trauell spent
His force, at last perforce a downe did ly,
8 Ne foot could further moue: The Lady gent
Thereat was suddein strooke with great astonishment.
1 So long as breath and able puissance
able puissance > sufficient strength
2 Did native courage to him supply,
native > innate, natural courage > vigour
3 His pace he freshly forward did advance, 4 And carried her beyond all jeopardy; 5 But naught that wants rest can long aby.
aby > abide, endure, remain
6 He, having through incessant travel spent
travel > travel; travail
7 His force, at last perforce adown did lie,
adown > down
8 Nor foot could further move: the lady gent
gent > noble, high-born; graceful, elegant
9 Thereat was sudden struck with great astonishment,
Thereat > As a result of that astonishment > dismay; bewilderment
307.4
And forst t'alight, on foot mote algates fare,
2 A traueller vnwonted to such way:
Need teacheth her this lesson hard and rare,
4 That fortune all in equall launce doth sway,
And mortall miseries doth make her play.
6 So long she trauelled, till at length she came
To an hilles side, which did to her bewray
8 A little valley, subiect to the same,
All couerd with thick woods, that quite it ouercame.
1 And forced to alight: on foot might algates fare,
might algates fare > [she must proceed; algates = at any rate, anyhow]
2 A traveller unwonted to such way;
unwonted > unaccustomed way > manner of travel
3 Need teaches her this lesson hard and rare,
rare > (An intensive, qualifying "hard")
4 That Fortune all in equal launce does sway,
equal > [an] impartial; [the] same launce > scales, balance (WU) sway > weigh; press down; sway
5 And mortal miseries does make her play.
play > game, sport; play (i.e. side-to-side motion of the scales)
6 So long she travelled, till at length she came
So > Thus
7 To a hill's side, which did to her bewray
bewray > reveal
8 A little valley, subject to the same,
subject to > under
9 All covered with thick woods, that quite it overcame.
overcame > overran; dominated
307.5
Through +the tops+ of the high trees she did descry
2 A litle smoke, whose vapour thin and light,
Reeking aloft, vprolled to the sky:
4 Which, chearefull signe did send vnto her sight,
That in the same did wonne some liuing wight.
6 Eftsoones her steps she thereunto applyde,
And came at last in weary wretched plight
8 Vnto the place, to which her hope did guyde,
To find some refuge there, and rest her weary syde.
1 the tops > th'tops 1609
1 Through the tops of the high trees she did descry 2 A little smoke, whose vapour, thin and light, 3 Reeking aloft, uprolled to the sky:
Reeking > Rising (used of smoke, vapour, etc.) uprolled > rolled up
4 Which cheerful sign did send to her sight 5 That in the same did won some living wight.
That in the same > [The impression that under the smoke] won > dwell wight > person
6 Eftsoons her steps she thereto applied,
Eftsoons > Thereupon thereto applied > directed to that place
7 And came at last in weary wretched plight 8 To the place, to which her hope did guide,
guide > [guide her]
9 To find some refuge there, and rest her weary side.
side > sides, body; hence: self
307.6
There in a gloomy hollow glen she found
2 A little cottage, built of stickes and reedes
In homely wize, and wald with sods around,
4 In which a witch did dwell, in loathly weedes,
And wilfull want, all carelesse of her needes;
6 So choosing solitarie to abide,
Far from all neighbours, that her deuilish deedes
8 And hellish arts from people she might hide,
And hurt far off vnknowne, whom euer she enuide.
1 There in a gloomy hollow glen she found 2 A little cottage, built of sticks and reeds 3 In homely wise, and walled with sods around,
wise > style
4 In which a witch did dwell, in loathly weeds
loathly weeds > loathsome clothing
5 And wilful want, all careless of her needs;
want > penury
6 So choosing solitary to abide,
So > (The sense is primarily "thus"; but the word may also serve "that" in the next line ["so that her deuilish deedes …"]) solitary > solitarily
7 Far from all neighbours, that her devilish deeds 8 And hellish arts from people she might hide, 9 And hurt far off, unknown, whomever she envied.
envied > felt a grudge against; disliked, hated
307.7
The Damzell there arriuing entred in;
2 Where sitting on the flore the Hag she found,
Busie (as seem'd) about some wicked gin:
4 Who soone as she beheld that suddein stound,
Lightly vpstarted from the dustie ground,
6 And with fell looke and hollow deadly gaze
Stared on her awhile, as one astound,
8 Ne had one word to speake, for great +amaze,+
But shewd by outward signes, that dread her sence did daze.
8 amaze, > amaze. 1596
1 The damsel, there arriving, entered in; 2 Where sitting on the floor the hag she found, 3 Busy (as seemed) about some wicked gin:
seemed > [it seemed] gin > scheme, stratagem; contrivance
4 Who, soon as she beheld that sudden stound,
soon > [as soon] stound > {Time or peril or alarm; hence: alarming or startling sight}
5 Lightly upstarted from the dusty ground,
Lightly > Quickly upstarted > started up
6 And, with fell look and hollow deadly gaze,
fell > fierce, terrible
7 Stared on her awhile, as one astound,
astound > amazed, confounded
8 Nor had one word to speak, for great amaze,
amaze > confusion; amazement
9 But showed, by outward signs, that dread her sense did daze.
307.8
At last turning her feare to foolish wrath,
2 She askt, what deuill had her thither brought,
And who she was, and what vnwonted path
4 Had guided her, vnwelcomed, vnsought?
To which the Damzell full of doubtfull thought,
6 Her mildly answer'd; Beldame be not wroth
With silly Virgin by aduenture brought
8 Vnto your dwelling, ignorant and loth,
That craue but rowme to rest, while tempest ouerblo'th.
1 At last, turning her fear to foolish wrath, 2 She asked what devil had her thither brought, 3 And who she was, and what unwonted path
unwonted > unaccustomed
4 Had guided her, unwelcomed, unsought? 5 To which the damsel, full of doubtful thought,
doubtful > fearful
6 Her mildly answered: "Beldam, be not wroth
mildly > graciously; mildly Beldam > {Respectful form of address to an elderly woman}
7 With silly virgin, by adventure brought
silly > helpless; innocent adventure > chance; hence: misfortune
8 To your dwelling, ignorant and loath, 9 That crave but room to rest, while tempest overblows."
room > place, space while > until [the] overblows > blows over, blows itself out
307.9
With that adowne out of her Christall eyne
2 Few trickling teares she softly forth let fall,
That like +two+ Orient pearles, did purely shyne
4 Vpon her snowy cheeke; and therewithall
She sighed soft, that none so bestiall,
6 Nor saluage hart, but ruth of her sad plight
Would make to melt, or pitteously appall;
8 And that vile Hag, all were her whole delight
In mischiefe, was much moued at so pitteous sight.
3 two > to conj. Hughes; cf. 106.47:8
1 With that adown out of her crystal eyes
adown > down crystal > clear, luminous
2 Few trickling tears she softly forth let fall,
Few > [A few]
3 That, like two orient pearls, did purely shine
two > (See Textual Appendix. If Hughes's conjecture is accepted, this word should be removed from the Shadow Text) orient > (Coming from the Orient; best quality, having a special lustre; brilliant, lustrous, sparkling)
4 Upon her snowy cheek; and therewithal
therewithal > therewith, with that
5 She sighed soft, that none so bestial,
that none > [so that no one]
6 Nor savage heart, but ruth of her sad plight
savage > [a] savage ruth > pity sad > sad; grievous
7 Would make to melt, or piteously appal;
piteously > [by means of feeling pity] appal > quell
8 And that vile hag, all were her whole delight
all > although
9 In mischief, was much moved at so piteous sight.
mischief > misfortune, disaster; evil at so > by such a
307.10
And gan recomfort her in her rude wyse,
2 With womanish compassion of her plaint,
Wiping the teares from her suffused eyes,
4 And bidding her sit downe, to rest her faint
And wearie limbes a while. She nothing quaint
6 Nor s'deignfull of so homely fashion,
Sith brought she was now to so hard constraint,
8 Sate downe vpon the dusty ground anon,
As glad of that small rest, as Bird of tempest gon.
1 And gan recomfort her in her rude wise,
gan recomfort > did console; began to console rude wise > clumsy manner
2 With womanish compassion of her plaint,
compassion of > compassion for; fellow-feeling for plaint > grieving, complaint
3 Wiping the tears from her suffused eyes, 4 And bidding her sit down, to rest her faint 5 And weary limbs awhile. She, nothing quaint,
nothing > not at all, in no way quaint > fastidious, prim
6 Nor sdeignful of so homely fashion,
sdeignful > disdainful so > such [a] fashion > style, manner [of seating]
7 Sith brought she was now to so hard constraint,
Sith > Since so > such constraint > affliction, oppression
8 Sat down upon the dusty ground anon,
anon > straightway
9 As glad of that small rest, as bird of tempest gone.
tempest gone > [a (or the) tempest which had just passed]
307.11
Tho gan she gather vp her garments rent,
2 And her loose lockes to dight in order dew,
With golden wreath and gorgeous ornament;
4 Whom such whenas the wicked Hag did vew,
She was astonisht at her heauenly hew,
6 And doubted her to deeme an earthly wight,
But or some Goddesse, or of Dianes crew,
8 And thought her to adore with humble spright;
T'adore thing so diuine as beauty, were but right.
1 Tho gan she gather up her garments rent,
Tho gan she > Then she began to rent > torn
2 And her loose locks to dight in order due,
dight > arrange due > fitting, proper
3 With golden wreath and gorgeous ornament;
wreath > circlet; coronet
4 Whom such when the wicked hag did view, 5 She was astonished at her heavenly hue,
at > by hue > appearance
6 And doubted her to deem an earthly wight,
wight > woman
7 But +or+ some goddess, or of Diana's crew,
or > either crew > (Of nymphs: cf. 306.17:2)
8 And thought her to adore with humble spirit; 9 To adore thing so divine as beauty, were but right.
307.12
This wicked woman had a wicked sonne,
2 The comfort of her age and weary dayes,
A laesie loord, for nothing good to donne,
4 But stretched forth in idlenesse alwayes,
Ne euer cast his mind to couet prayse,
6 Or ply him selfe to any honest trade,
But all the day before the sunny rayes
8 He vs'd to slug, or sleepe in slothfull shade:
Such laesinesse both lewd and poore attonce him made.
1 This wicked woman had a wicked son, 2 The comfort of her age and weary days, 3 A lazy lourd, for nothing good to do,
lourd > sluggard; lout (formed on French lourd, heavy; for another interpretation, see SC, gloss to "Julye". The spelling "loord" may also be intended to connote "lord") for nothing good to do > [good for nothing]
4 But stretched forth in idleness always, 5 Ne ever cast his mind to covet praise,
Ne ever > And never praise > merit; virtue (here esp. that associated with praiseworthy deeds)
6 Or ply himself to any honest trade,
ply > apply
7 But all the day before the sunny rays 8 He used to slug, or sleep in slothful shade:
slug > act lazily, waste his time
9 Such laziness both lewd and poor at once him made.
lewd > ignorant; good for nothing; unchaste at once > together, simultaneously
307.13
He comming home at vndertime, there found
2 The fairest creature, that he euer saw,
Sitting beside his mother on the ground;
4 The sight whereof did greatly him adaw,
And his base thought with terrour and with aw
6 So inly smot, that as one, which +had+ gazed
On the bright Sunne vnwares, doth soone withdraw
8 His feeble eyne, with too much brightnesse dazed;
So stared he on her, and stood long while amazed.
6 had > hath 1590
1 He, coming home at undern-time, there found
undern-time > {The third hour of the day, i.e. about 9 a.m.; noon; the afternoon or evening. Hamilton (1980) suggests that "noon" makes good contextual sense, since the witch's son finds Florimell as dazzling as "the bright Sunne"}
2 The fairest creature that he ever saw, 3 Sitting beside his mother on the ground; 4 The sight whereof did greatly him adaw,
whereof > of whom adaw > confound, daunt, daze (from OFr adanter: cf. SC, gloss to "Februarie"); also, on a second reading of Cantos vii and viii: awaken (cognate with "dawn") whence: arouse (i.e. sexually. "Daw" (aphetic for "jackdaw") in early Scottish and northern dialect also means "simpleton" (cf. Hubberd 913); thus Spenser might have intended that the verb "to adaw" should also connote "to dumbfound")
5 And his base thought with terror and with awe 6 So inly smote that, as one who had gazed
inly > inwardly
7 On the bright sun unwares does soon withdraw
unwares > unwittingly
8 His feeble eyes, with too much brightness dazed, 9 So stared he on her, and stood long while amazed.
So > (The parenthesis causes a problem, but the meaning is clear)
307.14
Softly at last he gan his mother aske,
2 What mister wight that was, and whence deriued,
That in so straunge disguizement there did maske,
4 And by what accident she there arriued:
But she, as one nigh of her wits depriued,
6 With nought but ghastly lookes him answered,
Like to a ghost, that lately is reuiued
8 From Stygian shores, where late it wandered;
So both at her, and each at other wondered.
1 Softly at last he gan his mother ask
gan > did
2 What mister wight that was, and whence derived,
mister wight > sort of person (mister = occupation; hence: class, sort)
3 That in so strange disguisement there did mask,
so > such disguisement > {Disguise; clothing different from that which is considered customary} mask > disguise [herself]; masquerade
4 And by what accident she there arrived: 5 But she, as one nigh of her wits deprived, 6 With naught but ghastly looks him answered,
ghastly > frightful, terrible (as if induced by fear of the supernatural)
7 Like a ghost, that lately is revived
revived > brought back to life
8 From Stygian shores, where late it wandered;
Stygian > {Of the River Styx, one of the five rivers of hell; the river across which dead souls must pass. See Aen. 6.312 ff.} late > recently
9 So both at her, and each at other wondered.
wondered > marvelled
307.15
But the faire Virgin was so meeke and mild,
2 That she to them vouchsafed to embace
Her goodly port, and to their senses vild,
4 Her gentle speach applide, that in short space
She grew familiare in that desert place.
6 During which time, the Chorle through her so kind
And curteise vse conceiu'd affection bace,
8 And cast to loue her in his brutish mind;
No loue, but brutish lust, that was so beastly tind.
1 But the fair virgin was so meek and mild 2 That she to them vouchsafed to embase
embase > degrade, humiliate
3 Her goodly port, and to their senses vile
port > rank, social station
4 Her gentle speech applied, that in short space
gentle > gracious, courteous; noble; gentle applied > directed that > [so that] space > time
5 She grew familiar in that desert place.
familiar > {On a family footing} desert > lonely
6 During which time the churl, through her so kind
churl > rustic, boor
7 And courteous use, conceived affection base, 8 And cast to love her in his brutish mind;
cast > resolved
9 No love, but brutish lust, that was so beastly tinded.
beastly tinded > bestially kindled
307.16
Closely the wicked flame his bowels brent,
2 And shortly grew into outrageous fire;
Yet had he not the hart, nor hardiment,
4 As vnto her to vtter his desire;
His caytiue thought durst not so high aspire,
6 But with soft sighes, and louely semblaunces,
He ween'd that his affection entire
8 She should aread; many resemblaunces
To her he made, and many kind remembraunces.
1 Closely the wicked flame his bowels burnt,
Closely > Secretly; closely bowels > {Heart, breast; internal organs generally}
2 And shortly grew into outrageous fire;
outrageous > violent; outrageous
3 Yet had he not the heart, nor hardiment,
had he > [he had] hardiment > boldness
4 As to her to utter his desire; 5 His caitiff thought dared not so high aspire,
caitiff > servile; despicable
6 But with soft sighs, and lovely semblances,
lovely > loving
7 He weened that his affection entire
weened > imagined, supposed entire > entire; unreserved; inward (cf. e.g. 408.23:9); blameless
8 She should aread; many resemblances
aread > divine resemblances > shows (of some quality; here, of love)
9 To her he made, and many kind remembrances.
remembrances > mentions, notices (i.e. he also paid her many compliments)
307.17
Oft from the forrest wildings he did bring,
2 Whose sides empurpled were with smiling red,
And oft young birds, which he had taught to sing
4 His mistresse prayses, sweetly caroled,
Girlonds of flowres sometimes for her faire hed
6 He fine would dight; sometimes the squirell wild
He brought to her in bands, as conquered
8 To be her thrall, his fellow seruant vild;
All which, she of him tooke with countenance meeke and mild.
1 Oft from the forest wildings he did bring,
wildings > wild apples
2 Whose sides empurpled were with smiling red,
empurpled > reddened
3 And oft young birds, which he had taught to sing 4 His mistress' praises, sweetly carolled;
carolled > sung; sang, celebrated [her praises] with song
5 Garlands of flowers sometimes for her fair head 6 He finely would dight; sometimes the squirrel wild
dight > prepare; arrange
7 He brought to her in bonds, as conquered
as > [as though]
8 To be her thrall, his fellow servant vile;
thrall > slave vile > lowly, wretched
9 All which she of him took with countenance meek and mild.
of > from mild > mild; gracious, kind (cf. 307.15:1)
307.18
But past awhile, when she fit season saw
2 To leaue that desert mansion, she cast
In secret wize her selfe thence to withdraw,
4 For feare of mischiefe, which she did forecast
Might +by+ the witch or +by+ her sonne compast:
6 Her wearie Palfrey closely, as she might,
Now well recouered after long repast,
8 In his proud furnitures she freshly dight,
His late miswandred wayes now to remeasure right.
5 by > be 1596, 1609 5 by > that _1596, 1609; in the 1590 reading, "be" must be understood before _compast
1 But past awhile, when she fit season saw
past awhile > [when some time had passed] season > occasion; opportunity
2 To leave that desert mansion, she cast
desert > lonely mansion > lodging, place of abode cast > resolved
3 In secret wise herself thence to withdraw,
wise > manner
4 For fear of mischief, which she did forecast
mischief > evil forecast > conjecture
5 Might by the witch or by her son compassed:
compassed > [be] contrived
6 Her weary palfrey, closely as she might
palfrey > {Saddle-horse for ladies} closely > [as] secretly might > could
7 (Now well recovered after long repast), 8 In his proud furnitures she freshly dight,
furnitures > harness, fittings dight > arranged
9 His late miswandered ways now to remeasure right.
late > recent miswandered > errant remeasure > traverse again, retrace
307.19
And earely ere the dawning day appeard,
2 She forth issewed, and on her iourney went;
She went in perill, of each noyse affeard,
4 And of each shade, that did it selfe present;
For still she feared to be ouerhent,
6 Of that vile hag, or +her+ vnciuile sonne:
Who when too late awaking, well they kent,
8 That their faire guest was gone, they both begonne
To make exceeding mone, as they had bene vndonne.
6 her > that 1609
1 And early, ere the dawning day appeared, 2 She forth issued, and on her journey went; 3 She went in peril, of each noise afeard,
afeard > frightened
4 And of each shade that did itself present;
shade > shadow
5 For still she feared to be overhent
still > continually overhent > overtaken (cf. 304.49:8)
6 Of that vile hag or her uncivil son:
Of > By uncivil > uncivilized, barbaric
7 Who, when too late awaking, well they kenned
kenned > discovered
8 That their fair guest was gone, they both began 9 To make exceeding moan, as they had been undone.
moan > lamentation as > [as if]
307.20
But that lewd louer did the most lament
2 For her depart, that euer man did heare;
He knockt his brest with desperate intent,
4 And scratcht his face, and with his teeth did teare
His rugged flesh, and rent his ragged heare:
6 That his sad mother seeing his sore plight,
Was greatly woe begon, and gan to feare,
8 Least his fraile senses were emperisht quight,
And loue to frenzy turnd, sith loue is franticke hight.
1 But that lewd lover did the most lament
lewd > ignorant; lewd (cf. 307.12:9)
2 For her depart that ever man did hear;
depart > departure
3 He knocked his breast with desperate intent,
intent > frame of mind; purpose
4 And scratched his face, and with his teeth did tear 5 His rugged flesh, and rent his ragged hair:
rent > tore
6 That his sad mother, seeing his sore plight,
That his > [His; so that his]
7 Was greatly woe-begone, and began to fear 8 Lest his frail senses were emperished quite,
emperished > impaired
9 And love to frenzy turned, sith love is frantic hight.
sith > since hight > called
307.21
All wayes she sought, him to restore to plight,
2 With herbs, with charms, with counsell, and with teares,
But tears, nor charms, nor herbs, nor counsell might
4 Asswage the fury, which his entrails teares:
So strong is passion, that no reason heares.
6 Tho when all other helpes she saw to faile,
She turnd her selfe backe to her wicked leares
8 And by her deuilish arts thought to preuaile,
To bring her backe againe, or worke her finall bale.
1 All ways she sought, him to restore to plight,
plight > health
2 With herbs, with charms, with counsel, and with tears,
charms > spells
3 But tears, nor charms, nor herbs, nor counsel might
might > could
4 Assuage the fury which his entrails tears: 5 So strong is passion, that no reason hears. 6 Tho, when all other helps she saw to fail,
Tho > Then helps > {Means of assistance}
7 She turned herself back to her wicked lears,
lears > doctrines, lessons
8 And by her devilish arts thought to prevail, 9 To bring her back again, or work her final bale.
work > cause bale > torment, suffering; infliction of death (final bale = death: cf. 106.48:7, 109.51:8)
307.22
Eftsoones out of her hidden caue she cald
2 An hideous beast, of horrible aspect,
That could the stoutest courage haue appald;
4 +Monstrous+ mishapt, and his backe was spect
With thousand spots of colours queint elect,
6 Thereto so swift, that it all beasts did pas:
Like neuer yet did liuing eye detect;
8 But likest it to an Hyena was,
That feeds on womens flesh, as others feede on gras.
4 Monstrous > Monstrous, 1590