8 fed, > fed. 1590, 1596
1 The silly man that in the thicket lay
silly > helpless; silly
2 Saw all this goodly sport, and grieved sore, 3 Yet dared he not against it do or say, 4 But did his heart with bitter thoughts engore,
engore > wound deeply
5 To see the unkindness of his Hellenore.
unkindness > unnatural behaviour; perhaps also: unkindness
6 All day they danced with great lustihead,
lustihead > lustiness, vigour; lustfulness
7 And with their horned feet the green grass wore, 8 The whiles their goats upon the browses fed,
The whiles > Meanwhile; while browses > tender shoots, buds
9 Till drooping Phoebus began to hide his golden head.
310.46
Tho vp they gan their merry pypes to trusse,
2 And all their goodly heards did gather round,
But euery Satyre first did giue a busse
4 To Hellenore: so busses did abound.
Now gan the humid vapour shed the ground
6 With perly deaw, and +th'Earthes+ gloomy shade
Did dim the brightnesse of the welkin round,
8 That euery bird and beast awarned made,
To shrowd themselues, whiles sleepe their senses did inuade.
6 th'Earthes > the Earthes 1609
1 Tho up they began their merry pipes to truss,
Tho > Then truss > pack
2 And all their goodly herds did gather round, 3 But every satyr first did give a buss
buss > kiss (OED cites Robert Herrick (1591-1674): "We busse our Wantons, but our Wives we kisse")
4 To Hellenore: so busses did abound. 5 Now gan the humid vapour shed the ground
gan > did shed > sprinkle
6 With pearly dew, and the earth's gloomy shade 7 Did dim the brightness of the welkin round:
welkin > {The apparent arch or vault of heaven overhead}
8 That every bird and beast awarned made,
every > [all severally: all the birds and beasts] awarned > warned (WU)
9 To shroud themselves, while sleep their senses did invade.
shroud > shelter
310.47
Which when +Melbecco+ saw, out of +his+ bush
2 Vpon his +hands+ and feete he crept full light,
And like a Gote emongst the Gotes did rush,
4 That through the helpe of his faire hornes on hight,
And misty dampe of misconceiuing night,
6 And eke through likenesse of his gotish beard,
He did the better counterfeite aright:
8 So home he marcht emongst the horned heard,
That none of all the Satyres him espyde or heard.
1 Melbecco > Malbecco 1590, 1609 1 his > the 1609 2 hands > hand 1596
1 Which when Malbecco saw, out of his bush 2 Upon his hands and feet he crept full light,
full light > very quickly
3 And like a goat amongst the goats did rush, 4 That through the help of his fair horns on high,
That > [So that] horns > (His cuckold's horns have become substantial)
5 And misty damp of misconceiving night,
misconceiving > {Giving a false impression}
6 And eke through likeness of his goatish beard,
eke > also likeness > [the] resemblance (i.e. to the goats' beards)
7 He did the better counterfeit aright:
counterfeit > disguise [himself]
8 So home he marched amongst the horned herd, 9 That none of all the satyrs him espied or heard.
That > [So that]
310.48
At night, when all they went to sleepe, he vewd,
2 Whereas his louely wife emongst them lay,
Embraced of a Satyre rough and rude,
4 Who all the night did minde his ioyous play:
Nine times he heard him come aloft ere day,
6 That all his hart with gealosie did swell;
But yet that nights ensample did bewray,
8 That not for nought his wife them loued so well,
When one so +oft+ a night did ring his matins bell.
9 oft > ought 1609
1 At night, when all they went to sleep, he viewed
all they > [they all]
2 Where his lovely wife amongst them lay,
lovely > lovely; loving
3 Embraced of a satyr rough and rude,
of > by
4 Who all the night did mind his joyous play: 5 Nine times he heard him come aloft ere day, 6 That all his heart with jealousy did swell;
That > [So that]
7 But yet that night's example did bewray
bewray > reveal
8 That not for naught his wife them loved so well, 9 When one so oft a night did ring his matins bell.
310.49
So closely as he could, he to them crept,
2 When wearie of their sport to sleepe they fell,
And to his wife, that now full soundly slept,
4 He whispered in her eare, and did her tell,
That it was he, which by her side did dwell,
6 And therefore prayd her wake, to heare him plaine.
As one out of a dreame not waked well,
8 She turned her, and returned backe againe:
Yet her for to awake he did the more constraine.
1 So closely as he could, he to them crept
closely > close, closely; secretly
2 When, weary of their sport, to sleep they fell, 3 And to his wife, that now full soundly slept:
full > very
4 He whispered in her ear, and did her tell 5 That it was he, who by her side did dwell, 6 And therefore prayed her wake, to hear him plain.
prayed her wake > [entreated her to awake] plain > plainly; also: complain, lament
7 As one out of a dream not waked well 8 She turned her, and returned back again:
her > [herself]
9 Yet her to awake he did the more constrain.
310.50
At last with irkesome trouble she abrayd;
2 And then perceiuing, that it was indeed
Her old Malbecco, which did her vpbrayd,
4 With loosenesse of her loue, and loathly deed,
She was astonisht with exceeding dreed,
6 And would haue wakt the Satyre by her syde;
But he her prayd, for mercy, or for meed,
8 To saue his life, ne let him be descryde,
But hearken to his lore, and all his counsell +hyde+.
9 hyde > byde my conjecture: bide = endure, undergo, remain true to
1 At last with irksome trouble she abraid;
irksome > weary abraid > started; hence: awoke
2 And then perceiving that it was indeed 3 Her old Malbecco who did her upbraid, 4 With looseness of her love, and loathly deed,
loathly > loathsome, disgusting
5 She was astonished with exceeding dread,
astonished > stunned; bewildered
6 And would have woken the satyr by her side; 7 But he her prayed, for mercy, or for meed,
prayed > entreated meed > reward (i.e. for his former support)
8 To save his life, nor let him be descried, 9 But hearken to his lore, and all his counsel hide.
lore > advice; orders hide > (See Textual Appendix)
310.51
Tho gan he her perswade, to leaue that lewd
2 And loathsome life, of God and man abhord,
And home returne, where all should be renewd
4 With perfect peace, and bandes of fresh accord,
And she receiu'd againe to bed and bord,
6 As if no trespasse euer had bene donne:
But she it all refused at one word,
8 And by no meanes would to his will be wonne,
But chose emongst the iolly Satyres still to wonne.
1 Tho gan he her persuade to leave that lewd
Tho gan > Then did persuade > counsel strongly
2 And loathsome life, of God and man abhorred,
of > by
3 And home return, where all should be renewed 4 With perfect peace, and bonds of fresh accord, 5 And she received again to bed and board, 6 As if no trespass ever had been done:
trespass > {Commission of sin or transgression}
7 But she it all refused at one word,
at one word > at once; without more ado
8 And by no means would to his will be won,
won > persuaded
9 But chose amongst the jolly satyrs still to won.
jolly > jolly; lustful still > ever, for ever won > live
310.52
He wooed her, till day +spring+ he espyde;
2 But all in vaine: and then turnd to the heard,
Who butted him with hornes on euery syde,
4 And trode downe in the durt, where his hore beard
Was fowly dight, and he of death afeard.
6 Early before the heauens fairest light
Out of the ruddy East was fully reard,
8 The heardes out of their foldes were loosed quight,
And he emongst the rest crept forth in sory plight.
1 spring > springs 1596
1 He wooed her till day-spring he espied,
day-spring > daybreak
2 But all in vain: and then turned to the herd,
turned > returned
3 Who butted him with horns on every side, 4 And trod down in the dirt, where his hoar beard
hoar > grey; ancient
5 Was foully dight, and he of death afeared.
dight > arranged, dressed; hence: befouled afeared > made frightened
6 Early, before the heavens' fairest light 7 Out of the ruddy east was fully reared, 8 The herds out of their folds were loosed quite, 9 And he amongst the rest crept forth in sorry plight.
sorry > sorry; painful, distressing
310.53
So soone as he the Prison dore did pas,
2 He ran as fast, as both his feete could beare,
And neuer looked, who behind him was,
4 Ne scarsely who before: like as a Beare
That creeping close, amongst the hiues to reare
6 An hony combe, the wakefull dogs espy,
And him assayling, sore his carkasse teare,
8 That hardly he with life away does fly,
Ne stayes, till safe himselfe he see from ieopardy.
1 So soon as he the prison door did pass,
prison door > [the point at which he was far enough away to escape detection]
2 He ran as fast as both his feet could bear, 3 And never looked who behind him was,
looked > [looked to see]
4 Nor scarcely who before: like a bear 5 That, creeping close amongst the hives to rear
close > secretly; close rear > gather, collect (usu. said of fines, rents, etc.)
6 A honeycomb, the wakeful dogs espy 7 And, him assailing, sore his carcase tear, 8 That hardly he with life away does fly,
That > [So that] hardly > with difficulty fly > flee
9 Nor stays, till safe himself he sees from jeopardy.
stays > delays
310.54
Ne stayd he, till he came vnto the place,
2 Where late his treasure he entombed had,
Where when he found it not (for Trompart bace
4 Had it purloyned for his maister bad:)
With extreme fury he became quite mad,
6 And ran away, ran with himselfe away:
That who so straungely had him seene bestad,
8 With vpstart haire, and staring eyes dismay,
From Limbo lake him late escaped sure would say.
1 Nor stayed he till he came to the place 2 Where late his treasure he entombed had,
late > recently
3 Where when he found it not (for Trompart base 4 Had it purloined for his master bad); 5 With extreme fury he became quite mad, 6 And ran away, ran with himself away: 7 That who so strangely had him seen bestad,
That who so strangely had him seen bestad > [So that whoever had seen him so strangely beset]
8 With upstart hair, and staring eyes' dismay,
upstart > upstanding
9 From Limbo-lake him late escaped sure would say.
Limbo-lake > (The pit of hell; Limbo is the region at the edge of hell where the unbaptized are confined; "lake" comes to us via Latin from the Greek lakkos, = pit, hollow, hole (filled with water or not))
310.55
High ouer hilles and ouer dales he fled,
2 As if the wind him on his winges had borne,
Ne banck nor bush could stay him, when he sped
4 His nimble feet, as treading still on thorne:
Griefe, and despight, and gealosie, and scorne
6 Did all the way him follow hard behind,
And he himselfe himselfe loath'd so forlorne,
8 So shamefully forlorne of womankind;
That as a Snake, still lurked in his wounded mind.
1 High over hills and over dales he fled, 2 As if the wind him on its wings had borne, 3 Neither bank nor bush could stay him when he sped
stay > hinder
4 His nimble feet, as treading still on thorn:
still > ever
5 Grief, and Despite, and Jealousy, and Scorn
Despite > Rage; Malice (personified, as a fragment of his own disintegrating mind, together with Grief, Jealousy, and Scorn: see Upton (1758))
6 Did all the way him follow hard behind,
hard > closely; fiercely, strenuously; cruelly
7 And he himself himself loathed so forlorn, 8 So shamefully forlorn of womankind:
of > by
9 That, as a snake, still lurked in his wounded mind.
as > like snake > (Traditionally associated with jealousy: see 311.1)
310.56
Still fled he forward, looking backward still,
2 Ne stayd his flight, nor fearefull agony,
Till that he came vnto a rockie hill,
4 Ouer the sea, suspended dreadfully,
That liuing creature it would terrify,
6 To looke adowne, or vpward to the hight:
From thence he threw himselfe dispiteously,
8 All desperate of his fore-damned spright,
That seem'd no helpe for him was left in liuing sight.
1 Still fled he forward, looking backward still,
Still > Still; continuously
2 Nor stayed his flight, nor fearful agony,
stayed > delayed agony > anguish
3 Till he came to a rocky hill 4 Over the sea, suspended dreadfully, 5 That living creature it would terrify
That > [So that; that]
6 To look adown, or upward to the height:
adown > down
7 From thence he threw himself dispiteously,
dispiteously > pitilessly
8 All desperate of his fore-damned spirit,
desperate of > despairing of, without hope for fore-damned > [damned beforehand, by his former conduct]
9 That seemed no help for him was left in living sight.
That > [So that it; such that]
310.57
But through long anguish, and selfe-murdring thought
2 He was so wasted and forpined quight,
That all his substance was consum'd to nought,
4 And nothing left, but like an aery Spright,
That on the rockes he fell so flit and light,
6 That he thereby receiu'd no hurt at all,
But chaunced on a craggy cliff to light;
8 Whence he with crooked clawes so long did crall,
That at the last he found a caue with entrance small.
1 But through long anguish, and self-murdering thought, 2 He was so wasted and forpined quite,
forpined > {Caused to pine, caused to starve}
3 That all his substance was consumed to naught, 4 And nothing left but like an airy sprite,
like > [something resembling]
5 That on the rocks he fell so flit and light,
That > [So that] flit > unsubstantial; or: fleet: evanescent, shifting
6 That he thereby received no hurt at all,
thereby > thereby, as a result; there
7 But chanced on a craggy cliff to light;
light > alight
8 Whence he with crooked claws so long did crawl 9 That at the last he found a cave with entrance small.
310.58
Into the same he creepes, and thenceforth there
2 Resolu'd to build his balefull mansion,
In drery darkenesse, and continuall feare
4 Of that rockes fall, which euer and anon
Threates with huge ruine him to fall vpon,
6 That he dare neuer sleepe, but that one eye
Still ope he keepes for that occasion;
8 Ne euer rests he in tranquillity,
The roring billowes beat his bowre so boystrously.
1 Into the same he creeps, and thenceforth there 2 Resolved to build his baleful mansion,
baleful > miserable, unhappy; deadly mansion > lodging, place of abode
3 In dreary darkness, and continual fear 4 Of that rock's fall, which ever and anon
ever and anon > always and straightway; hence: ever, continuously
5 Threats with huge ruin him to fall upon,
Threats > Threatens ruin > {The act of collapse of a building, etc.}
6 That he dares never sleep, but that one eye
That > [So that] one > [one remaining]
7 Still ope he keeps for that occasion;
Still ope > Ever open
8 Ne ever rests he in tranquillity:
Ne ever > Never, and never
9 The roaring billows beat his bower so boisterously.
bower > dwelling, chamber boisterously > violently, fiercely
310.59
Ne euer is he wont on ought to feed,
2 But toades and frogs, his pasture poysonous,
Which in his cold complexion do breed
4 A filthy bloud, or humour rancorous,
Matter of doubt and dread suspitious,
6 That doth with curelesse care consume the hart,
Corrupts the stomacke with gall vitious,
8 Croscuts the liuer with internall smart,
And doth transfixe the soule with deathes eternall dart.
1 Ne ever is he wont on aught to feed
Ne ever > And never, never wont > accustomed
2 But toads and frogs, his pasture poisonous,
pasture > food, sustenance
3 Which in his cold complexion do breed
complexion > combination of humours ("cold" or "hot", "moist" or "dry". The "humours", in medieval physiology, were the four chief fluids of the body: blood, phlegm, choler and melancholy. A person's temperament was determined by the relative proportions of these four cardinal humours)
4 A filthy blood, or humour rancorous, 5 Matter of doubt and dread suspicious,
doubt > fear
6 That does with cureless care consume the heart, 7 Corrupts the stomach with gall vicious,
stomach > stomach; also: spirit, pride vicious > foul, noxious; impure; morbid, diseased
8 Cross-cuts the liver with internal smart,
liver > {The supposed seat of love and violent passion; also: one who is alive} smart > pain, acute pain
9 And does transfix the soul with death's eternal dart.
310.60
Yet can he neuer dye, but dying liues,
2 And doth himselfe with sorrow new sustaine,
That death and life attonce vnto him giues.
4 And painefull pleasure turnes to pleasing paine.
There dwels he euer, miserable swaine,
6 Hatefull both to him selfe, and euery wight;
Where he through priuy griefe, and horrour vaine,
8 Is woxen so deform'd, that he has quight
Forgot he was a man, and Gealosie is hight.
1 Yet can he never die, but dying lives, 2 And does himself with sorrow new sustain, 3 That death and life at once to him gives:
at once > together
4 And painful pleasure turns to pleasing pain. 5 There dwells he ever, miserable swain,
swain > {Fellow, man of low degree; also: gallant, lover}
6 Hateful both to himself and every wight;
wight > person, creature
7 Where he, through privy grief and horror vain,
privy > secret, hidden vain > futile; empty; foolish
8 Is waxed so deformed, that he has quite
Is waxed > Has become
9 Forgotten he was a man, and Jealousy is hight.
hight > called
CANTO XI
Britomart chaceth Ollyphant,
2 findes Scudamour distrest:
Assayes the house of Busyrane,
4 where Loues spoyles are exprest.
1 Britomart chases Ollyphant, 2 finds Scudamour distressed: 3 Assays the house of Busirane,
Assays > Assails; essays, attempts; hence: makes an attempt on,
attacks
Busirane > (Named after Busiris, a mythical Egyptian king whose
cruelties included the sacrifice of strangers to Jupiter. See
Ovid, Ars Amatoria 1.643-58)
4 where Love's spoils are expressed.
Love > [Cupid] expressed > portrayed, represented; represented symbolically
311.1
O Hatefull hellish Snake, what furie furst
2 Brought thee from balefull house of Proserpine,
Where in her bosome she thee long had nurst,
4 And fostred vp with bitter milke of tine,
Fowle Gealosie, that turnest loue diuine
6 To ioylesse dread, and mak'st the louing hart
With hatefull thoughts to languish and to pine,
8 And feed it selfe with selfe-consuming smart?
Of all the passions in the mind thou vilest art.
1 O hateful hellish snake, what Fury first
hellish snake > (Addressing Jealousy) Fury > (In most representations, the Furies' hair is entwined with, or consists of, snakes: see e.g. Aen. 7.342-55)
2 Brought you from baleful House of Proserpine,
baleful > [the] deadly, [the] miserable (perhaps also connoting "hell-fire": cf. 101.16:7) House of Proserpine > (Hell; Proserpine is queen of the underworld, the consort of Pluto)
3 Where in her bosom she you long had nursed,
she > (Presumably, Proserpine rather than the Fury)
4 And fostered up with bitter milk of teen?
teen > grief; woe; pain
5 Foul Jealousy, that turn love divine 6 To joyless dread, and make the loving heart 7 With hateful thoughts to languish and to pine,
pine > waste away
8 And feed itself with self-consuming smart:
smart > pain; acute pain
9 Of all the passions in the mind you vilest are.
311.2
O let him far be banished away,
2 And in his stead let Loue for euer dwell,
Sweet Loue, that doth his +golden+ wings embay
4 In blessed Nectar, and pure Pleasures well,
Vntroubled of vile feare, or bitter fell.
6 And ye faire Ladies, that your kingdomes make
In th'harts of men, them gouerne wisely well,
8 And of faire Britomart ensample take,
That was as trew in loue, as Turtle to her make.
3 golden > golding 1590, 1596
1 O let him far be banished away, 2 And in his stead let Love for ever dwell,
stead > place
3 Sweet Love, that does his golden wings embay
embay > bathe
4 In blessed nectar, and pure Pleasure's well,
nectar > {The drink of the gods; cf. 306.18:9}
5 Untroubled of vile fear, or bitter fell.
of > by fell > gall; bitterness, rancour (Latin fel: WUS)
6 And you fair ladies, that your kingdoms make 7 In the hearts of men, them govern wisely well, 8 And of fair Britomart example take, 9 That was as true in love as turtle to her make.
turtle > [the] turtle dove make > mate
311.3
Who with Sir Satyrane, as earst ye red,
2 Forth ryding from Malbeccoes hostlesse hous,
Farr off +aspyde+ a young man, the which fled
4 From an huge Geaunt, that with hideous
And hatefull outrage long him chaced thus;
6 It was that Ollyphant, the brother deare
Of that Argante vile and vitious,
8 From whom the Squire of Dames was reft whylere;
This all as bad as she, and worse, if worse ought were.
3 aspyde > espide 1609
1 Who, with Sir Satyrane (as erst you read)
erst > recently (310.1)
2 Forth riding from Malbecco's hostless house,
hostless > inhospitable
3 Far off espied a young man, who fled
fled > [was fleeing]
4 From a huge giant, that with hideous
hideous > odious; immense
5 And hateful outrage long him chased thus;
outrage > intemperance; passion chased > [had chased]
6 It was that Ollyphant, the brother dear 7 Of that Argante vile and vicious, 8 From whom the Squire of Dames was reft whilere;
reft > taken away; hence: rescued whilere > erewhile: a while ago (307.44)
9 This all as bad as she, and worse, if worse aught were.
This all > [This one was every bit] aught > anything whatever
311.4
For as the sister did in feminine
2 And filthy lust exceede all woman kind,
So he surpassed his sex masculine,
4 In beastly vse +that I did euer+ find;
Whom when as Britomart beheld behind
6 The fearefull boy so greedily pursew,
She was emmoued in her noble mind,
8 T'employ her puissaunce to his reskew,
And pricked fiercely forward, where she +him did+ vew.
4 that I did euer > all, that I euer 1590 9 him did > did him 1590
1 For as the sister did in feminine 2 And filthy lust exceed all womankind, 3 So he surpassed his sex masculine 4 In beastly use that I did ever find;
that > [compared with all whom that: see Textual Appendix]
5 Whom when Britomart beheld behind 6 The fearful boy so greedily pursue,
greedily > eagerly; greedily pursue > [pursuing]
7 She was enmoved in her noble mind
enmoved > moved
8 To employ her puissance to his rescue,
puissance > strength (allied with prowess in arms)
9 And pricked fiercely forward, where she him did view.
pricked > spurred her horse
311.5
Ne was Sir Satyrane her far behinde,
2 But with like fiercenesse did ensew the chace:
Whom when the Gyaunt saw, he soone resinde
4 His former suit, and from them fled apace;
They after both, and boldly bad him bace,
6 And each did striue the other to out-goe,
But he them both outran a wondrous space,
8 For he was long, and swift as any Roe,
And now made better speed, t'escape his feared foe.
1 Nor was Sir Satyrane her far behind, 2 But with like fierceness did ensue the chase:
like > similar ensue the chase > pursue the quarry; follow the chase
3 Whom when the giant saw, he soon resigned 4 His former suit, and from them fled apace;
suit > pursuit, chase apace > quickly
5 They after both, and boldly bade him base,
They after both > [They both went after him] bade him base > challenged (alluding to the game of "prisoner's base")
6 And each did strive the other to outgo,
outgo > {Outdistance; go faster than}
7 But he them both outran a wondrous space,
a > [by a]
8 For he was long, and swift as any roe,
roe > roedeer
9 And now made better speed, to escape his feared foe.
311.6
It was not Satyrane, whom he did feare,
2 But Britomart the flowre of chastity;
For he the powre of chast hands might not beare,
4 But alwayes did their dread encounter fly:
And now so fast his feet he did apply,
6 That he has gotten to a forrest neare,
Where he is shrowded in security.
8 The wood they enter, and search euery where,
They searched diuersely, so both diuided were.
1 It was not Satyrane whom he did fear, 2 But Britomart, the flower of chastity; 3 For he the power of chaste hands might not bear,
might > could
4 But always did their dread encounter fly:
fly > flee
5 And now so fast his feet he did apply 6 That he has gotten to a forest near, 7 Where he is shrouded in security.
shrouded > hidden; sheltered
8 The wood they enter, and search everywhere; 9 They searched diversely: so both divided were.
311.7
Faire Britomart so long him followed,
2 That she at last came to a fountaine sheare,
By which there lay a knight all wallowed
4 Vpon the grassy ground, and by him neare
His haberieon, his helmet, and his speare;
6 A little off, his shield was rudely throwne,
On which the winged boy in colours cleare
8 Depeincted was, full easie to be knowne,
And he thereby, where euer it in field was showne.
1 Fair Britomart so long him followed 2 That she at last came to a fountain sheer,
sheer > pure, clear, translucent (of water)
3 By which there lay a knight all wallowed
wallowed > prostrated
4 Upon the grassy ground, and by him near 5 His habergeon, his helmet, and his spear;
habergeon > {Sleeveless coat of chain-mail}
6 A little off his shield was rudely thrown,
off > [way off]
7 On which the winged boy in colours clear
the winged boy > [Cupid, declaring the knight's name: see 306.53:2]
8 Depainted was, full easy to be known,
Depainted > Depicted; painted full > very, exceedingly
9 And he thereby, wherever it in field was shown.
he > [Scudamour] field > battle, field of battle
311.8
His face vpon the ground did groueling ly,
2 As if he had bene slombring in the shade,
That the braue Mayd would not for courtesy,
4 Out of his quiet slomber him abrade,
Nor seeme too suddeinly him to inuade:
6 Still as she stood, she heard with grieuous throb
Him grone, as if his hart were peeces made,
8 And with most painefull pangs to sigh and sob,
That pitty did the Virgins hart of patience rob.
1 His face upon the ground did grovelling lie,
grovelling > face-down
2 As if he had been slumbering in the shade, 3 That the brave maid would not, for courtesy,
That > [So that]
4 Out of his quiet slumber him abraid,
abraid > start; hence: awake
5 Nor seem too suddenly him to invade:
invade > intrude upon
6 Still as she stood, she heard with grievous throb
Still > Motionless; yet throb > quiver; exhibition of emotion
7 Him groan, as if his heart were pieces made,
pieces made > [broken]
8 And with most painful pangs to sigh and sob,
to > [she heard him to]
9 That pity did the virgin's heart of patience rob.
That > [So that]
311.9
At last forth breaking into bitter plaintes
2 He said; {o^} soueraigne Lord that sit'st on hye,
And raignst in blis emongst thy blessed Saintes,
4 How suffrest thou such shamefull cruelty,
So long vnwreaked of thine enimy?
6 Or +hast thou,+ Lord, of good mens cause no heed?
Or doth thy iustice sleepe, and silent ly?
8 What booteth then the good and righteous deed,
If goodnesse find no grace, nor righteousnesse no meed?
6 hast thou, > hast, thou 1590, 1596
1 At last, forth breaking into bitter plaints,
plaint > {Lament; lamentation; statement of grievance made in seeking redress}
2 He said: "O sovereign Lord that sit on high, 3 And reigns in bliss amongst Your blessed saints, 4 How suffer You such shameful cruelty,
suffer You > do You permit
5 So long unwreaked, of Your enemy?
unwreaked > unavenged
6 Or have You, Lord, of good men's cause no heed?
cause > case, suit; cause
7 Or does Your justice sleep, and silent lie? 8 What boots then the good and righteous deed,
boots > avails [one]
9 If goodness find no grace, nor righteousness no meed?
nor > (The double negative is intensive) meed > reward
311.10
If good find grace, and righteousnesse reward,
2 Why then is Amoret in caytiue band,
Sith that more bounteous creature neuer far'd
4 On foot, vpon the face of liuing land?
Or if that heauenly iustice may withstand
6 The wrongfull outrage of vnrighteous men,
Why then is Busirane with wicked hand
8 Suffred, these seuen monethes day in secret den
My Lady and my loue so cruelly to pen?
1 "If good find grace, and righteousness reward, 2 Why then is Amoret in caitiff bond,
caitiff bond > [wretched bonds; the bonds of a slave]
3 Since more bounteous creature never fared
more bounteous > [a] more virtuous
4 On foot upon the face of living land? 5 Or if heavenly justice may withstand 6 The wrongful outrage of unrighteous men, 7 Why then is Busirane with wicked hand 8 Suffered, these seven months' day, in secret den
Suffered > Allowed day > space (of time), period
9 My lady and my love so cruelly to pen?
311.11
My Lady and my loue is +cruelly+ pend
2 In dolefull darkenesse from the vew of day,
Whilest deadly torments do her chast brest rend,
4 And the sharpe steele doth riue her hart in tway,
All for she Scudamore will not denay.
6 Yet thou vile man, vile Scudamore art sound,
Ne canst her ayde, ne canst her foe dismay;
8 Vnworthy wretch to tread vpon the ground,
For whom so faire a Lady feeles so sore a wound.
1 cruelly > cruell' 1609
1 "My lady and my love is cruelly penned 2 In doleful darkness from the view of day,
doleful > grievous, distressing; also: malicious, crafty
3 Whilst deadly torments do her chaste breast rend,
rend > tear
4 And the sharp steel does rive her heart in tway,
rive > split, tear tway > two
5 All for she Scudamour will not deny.
for > because
6 Yet you vile man, vile Scudamour are sound, 7 Nor can her aid, nor can her foe dismay;
dismay > overcome; defeat
8 Unworthy wretch to tread upon the ground, 9 For whom so fair a lady feels so sore a wound."
311.12
There an huge heape of +singults+ did oppresse
2 His strugling soule, and swelling throbs empeach
His foltring toung with pangs of drerinesse,
4 Choking the remnant of his plaintife speach,
As if his dayes were come to their last reach.
6 Which when she heard, and saw the ghastly fit,
Threatning into his life to make a breach,
8 Both with great ruth and terrour she was smit,
Fearing least from her cage the wearie soule would flit.
1 singults > singulfes _1590, 1596; cf. 506.13:9, CC 168, TM 232. In the last two instances, the spelling error was corrected in the 1611 edition_
1 There a huge heap of singults did oppress
singults > sobs
2 His struggling soul, and swelling throbs impeach
throbs > quiverings; hence: tremors impeach > impede
3 His faltering tongue with pangs of dreariness,
dreariness > sorrow; horror
4 Choking the remnant of his plaintive speech,
plaintive > {Plaintive; also: pertaining to a plaintiff}
5 As if his days were come to their last reach.
last reach > utmost extent; hence: end
6 Which when she heard, and saw the ghastly fit
ghastly > terrible
7 Threatening into his life to make a breach, 8 Both with great ruth and terror she was smitten,
ruth > pity
9 Fearing lest from its cage the weary soul would flit.
its cage > [Scudamour's body: cf. Una's "natiue prison" at 107.21:8]
311.13
Tho stooping downe she him amoued light;
2 Who therewith somewhat starting, vp gan looke,
And seeing him behind a straunger knight,
4 Whereas no liuing creature he mistooke,
With great indignaunce he that sight forsooke,
6 And downe againe himselfe disdainefully
+Abiecting,+ th'earth with his faire forhead strooke:
8 Which the bold Virgin seeing, gan apply
Fit medcine to his griefe, and spake thus courtesly.
7 Abiecting, > Abiecting 1596
1 Tho stooping down she him amoved light;
Tho > Then amoved > moved, touched; aroused (last is SUS; cf. Daphn. 545)
2 Who therewith somewhat starting, up gan look,
therewith > with that; thereupon gan > did
3 And seeing him behind a stranger knight
him behind > [behind him] stranger > new-come; foreign; unknown
4 Where no living creature he mistook,
mistook > [had erroneously taken to be; hence: had supposed to be]
5 With great indignance he that sight forsook,
indignance > indignation
6 And down again himself disdainfully 7 Abjecting, the earth with his fair forehead struck;
Abjecting > Casting down ("down" in line 6 is thus tautological and intensive)
8 Which the bold virgin seeing, gan apply
Which the bold virgin seeing, gan > [Which seeing, the bold virgin did]
9 Fit medicine to his grief, and spoke thus courteously:
Fit > Appropriate
311.14
Ah gentle knight, whose deepe +conceiued+ griefe
2 Well seemes t'exceede the powre of patience,
Yet if that heauenly grace some good reliefe
4 You send, submit you to high prouidence,
And euer in your noble hart prepense,
6 That all the sorrow in the world is lesse,
Then vertues might, and values confidence,
8 For who nill bide the burden of distresse,
Must not here thinke to liue: for life is wretchednesse.
1 conceiued > cenceiued 1596
1 "Ah gentle knight, whose deep conceived grief
gentle > noble
2 Well seems to exceed the power of patience; 3 Yet if that heavenly grace some good relief 4 You send, submit you to high providence,
You send > [Should send to you] you > (An intensive: cf. 100.2:9; or: yourself)
5 And ever in your noble heart prepense
prepense > consider beforehand
6 That all the sorrow in the world is less 7 Than virtue's might, and value's confidence,
might > strength value's confidence > [confidence in worthiness or valour]
8 For who nill bide the burden of distress
who nill bide > [he who will not endure]
9 Must not here think to live: for life is wretchedness.
311.15
Therefore, faire Sir, do comfort to you take,
2 And freely read, what wicked felon so
Hath outrag'd you, and thrald your gentle make.
4 Perhaps this hand may helpe to ease your woe,
And wreake your sorrow on your cruell foe,
6 +At+ least it faire endeuour will apply.
Those feeling wordes so neare the quicke did goe,
8 That vp his head he reared easily,
And leaning on his elbow, these few wordes let fly.
6 At > And 1596
1 "Therefore, fair sir, do comfort to you take, 2 And freely read what wicked felon so
read > make known
3 Has outraged you, and thralled your gentle make.
thralled > enslaved, made captive gentle > noble make > companion, lover, consort
4 Perhaps this hand may help to ease your woe, 5 And wreak your sorrow on your cruel foe;
wreak > avenge
6 At least it fair endeavour will apply." 7 Those feeling words so near the quick did go 8 That up his head he reared easily, 9 And, leaning on his elbow, these few words let fly:
311.16
What boots it plaine, that cannot be redrest,
2 And sow vaine sorrow in a +fruitlesse+ eare,
Sith powre of hand, nor skill of learned brest,
4 Ne worldly price cannot redeeme my deare,
Out of her thraldome and continuall feare?
6 For he the tyraunt, which her hath in ward
By strong enchauntments and blacke Magicke leare,
8 Hath in a dungeon deepe her close embard,
And many dreadfull feends hath pointed to her gard.
2 fruitlesse > fruilesse 1596
1 "What boots it plain that cannot be redressed,
boots > avails plain > [to] complain [of]
2 And sow vain sorrow in a fruitless ear,
vain > futile; empty
3 Since power of hand, nor skill of learned breast,
skill > knowledge breast > heart; hence: mind
4 Nor worldly price cannot redeem my dear 5 Out of her thraldom and continual fear?
thraldom > slavery
6 For he, the tyrant, who her has in ward
ward > keeping
7 By strong enchantments and black magic lear,
lear > learning, lore
8 Has in a dungeon deep her close embarred,
close > closely; secretly embarred > imprisoned
9 And many dreadful fiends has pointed to her guard.
pointed > appointed, nominated; directed her guard > her keeping; guard her
311.17
There he tormenteth her most terribly,
2 And day and night afflicts with mortall paine,
Because to yield him loue she doth deny,
4 Once to me yold, not to be yold againe:
But yet by torture he would her constraine
6 Loue to conceiue in her disdainfull +brest,+
Till so she do, she must in doole remaine,
8 Ne may by liuing meanes be thence relest:
What boots it then to plaine, that cannot be redrest?
6 brest, > brest; 1590, 1609
1 "There he torments her most terribly, 2 And day and night afflicts with mortal pain, 3 Because to yield him love she does deny, 4 Once to me yielded, not to be yielded again: 5 But yet by torture he would her constrain 6 Love to conceive in her disdainful breast. 7 Till so she do, she must in dole remain,
dole > grief, sorrow (afflicting Amoret); guile, deceit (on the part of Busirane)
8 Nor may by living means be thence released:
living > {Human, mortal, pertaining to living people}
9 What boots it then to plain that cannot be redressed?"
boots > (Repeating the question posed at 311.16:1)
311.18
With this sad hersall of his heauy stresse,
2 The warlike Damzell was empassiond sore,
And said; Sir knight, your cause is nothing lesse,
4 Then is your sorrow, certes if not more;
For nothing so much pitty doth implore,
6 As gentle Ladies helplesse misery.
But yet, if please ye listen to my lore,
8 I will with proofe of last extremity,
Deliuer her fro thence, or with her for you dy.
1 With this sad hersall of his heavy stress
hersall > rehearsal, account (WUS) stress > affliction, distress
2 The warlike damsel was impassioned sore, 3 And said: "Sir knight, your cause is nothing less
cause > case; cause nothing > not at all less > [less in scale, less worthy]
4 Than is your sorrow, certes if not more;
certes > assuredly
5 For nothing so much pity does implore 6 As gentle ladies' helpless misery.
gentle > noble; gentle; [a] noble; [a] gentle ladies' > ladies'; lady's
7 But yet, if please you listen to my lore,
please you > [it is agreeable to you to] lore > teaching, doctrine
8 I will, with proof of last extremity,
proof > trial, experience last > [the final; she is offering to risk all]
9 Deliver her from thence, or with her for you die."
311.19
Ah gentlest knight aliue, (said Scudamore)
2 What huge heroicke magnanimity
Dwels in thy bounteous brest? what couldst thou more,
4 If she were thine, and thou as now am I?
O spare thy happy dayes, and them apply
6 To better boot, but let me dye, that ought;
More is more losse: one is enough to dy.
8 Life is not lost, (said she) for which is bought
Endlesse renowm, that more then +death+ is to be sought.
9 death > life conj. Jortin
1 "Ah gentlest knight alive," said Scudamour,
gentlest > noblest (answering the appellation at 311.14:1)
2 "What huge heroic magnanimity
magnanimity > greatness of spirit
3 Dwells in your bounteous breast? What could you more,
could you more > [more could you do, more could you offer]
4 If she were yours, and you as now am I? 5 O spare your happy days, and them apply 6 To better boot, but let me die, that ought;
boot > advantage, profit
7 More is more loss: one is enough to die." 8 "Life is not lost," said she, "for which is bought
Life > [A life, one's life]
9 Endless renown, that more than death is to be sought."
311.20
Thus she at length perswaded him to rise,
2 And with her wend, to see what new successe
Mote him befall vpon new enterprise;
4 His armes, which he had vowed to disprofesse,
She gathered vp and did about him dresse,
6 And his +forwandred+ steed vnto him got:
So forth they both yfere make their progresse,
8 And march not past the mountenaunce of a shot,
Till they arriu'd, whereas their purpose they did plot.
6 forwandred > for wandred 1596
1 Thus she at length persuaded him to rise 2 And with her wend, to see what new success
success > {That which follows, happens in the sequel; termination of affairs; result; also: fortune}
3 Might him befall upon new enterprise; 4 His arms, which he had vowed to disprofess,
arms > {Arms and armour} disprofess > renounce the profession of (cf. 104.1:1)
5 She gathered up and did about him dress,
dress > arrange
6 And his forwandered steed to him got:
forwandered > {Straying, wandered; also: wearied with wandering}
7 So forth they both yfere make their progress,
yfere > together progress > journey
8 And march not past the mountenance of a shot,
mountenance > distance shot > [bow-shot]
9 Till they arrived where their purpose they did plot.
311.21
There they dismounting, drew their weapons bold
2 And stoutly came vnto the Castle gate;
Whereas no gate they found, them to withhold,
4 Nor ward to wait at morne and euening late,
But in the Porch, that did them sore amate,
6 A flaming fire, ymixt with smouldry smoke,
And stinking Sulphure, that with griesly hate
8 And dreadfull horrour did all entraunce choke,
Enforced them their forward footing to reuoke.
1 There they, dismounting, drew their weapons bold 2 And stoutly came to the castle gate:
stoutly > bravely, resolutely
3 Where no gate they found them to withhold, 4 Nor ward to wait at morn and evening late:
ward to wait > [a] sentinel to keep watch
5 But in the porch (that did them sore amate)
amate > daunt (cf. Rinaldo 5.58-61, GL 8.34-5)
6 A flaming fire (mixed with smouldry smoke,
smouldry > {Smothery, tending to smother}
7 And stinking sulphur, that with grisly hate
grisly > horrible, fearsome
8 And dreadful horror did all entrance choke) 9 Enforced them their forward footing to revoke.
footing > step, tread revoke > check; withdraw, draw back (cf. 101.12:7-8)
311.22
Greatly thereat was Britomart dismayd,
2 Ne in that stownd wist, how her selfe to beare;
For daunger vaine it were, to haue assayd
4 That cruell element, which all things feare,
Ne none can suffer to approchen neare:
6 And turning backe to Scudamour, thus sayd;
What monstrous enmity prouoke we heare,
8 Foolhardy as +th'Earthes children, the which+ made
Battell against the Gods? so we a God inuade.
8 th'Earthes children, the which > the Earthes children, which 1590
1 Greatly thereat was Britomart dismayed,
thereat > at that, as a result of that
2 Nor in that stound wist how herself to bear;
stound > {Time of peril of pain: chiefly in northern dialect} wist > knew
3 For danger vain it were to have essayed
vain > foolish; foolishly essayed > attempted, hence: made an attempt on, attacked
4 That cruel element, which all things fear, 5 Nor none can suffer to approach near:
suffer > bear
6 And, turning back to Scudamour, thus said: 7 "What monstrous enmity provoke we here,
provoke > challenge, defy; provoke
8 Foolhardy as the Earth's children, who made
Foolhardy > [As foolhardy] the Earth's children > (The Giants, the vast beings which, sprung from the blood that fell from Uranus on Ge (the Earth), piled Mount Ossa on Mount Pelion in order to launch an unsuccessful attack on Olympus, abode of the gods)
9 Battle against the gods? So we a god invade.
a god > [Vulcan]
311.23
Daunger without discretion to attempt,
2 Inglorious and beastlike is: therefore Sir knight,
Aread what course of you is safest dempt,
4 And how we with our foe may come to fight.
This +is+ (quoth he) the dolorous despight,
6 Which earst to you I playnd: for neither may
This fire be quencht by any wit or might,
8 Ne yet by any meanes remou'd away,
So mighty be th'enchauntments, which the same do stay.
5 is > omitted from 1596
1 "Danger, without discretion, to attempt,
Danger, without discretion, to attempt > [To make an attempt on danger without discretion]
2 Inglorious and beastlike is: therefore, sir knight, 3 Aread what course of you is safest deemed,
Aread > Make known; counsel; decide of > by
4 And how we with our foe may come to fight." 5 "This is," quoth he, "the dolorous despite
despite > outrage
6 Which erst to you I plained: for neither may
erst > lately plained > lamented
7 This fire be quenched by any wit or might,