CANTO II

2 The guilefull great Enchaunter parts
The Redcrosse Knight from Truth:
4 Into whose stead faire falshood steps,
And workes him wofull ruth.

1 The guileful great enchanter parts 2 The Redcross Knight from Truth:

Truth > [Una]

3 Into whose stead fair Falsehood steps,

stead > place Falsehood > (Duessa, introduced at 102.13, named at 102.34:8)

4 And works him woeful ruth.

ruth > trouble, harm

102.1

BY this the Northerne wagoner had set
2 His seuenfold teme behind the stedfast starre,
That was in Ocean waues yet neuer wet,
4 But firme is fixt, and sendeth light from farre
To all, that in the wide deepe wandring arre:
6 And chearefull Chaunticlere with his note shrill
Had warned once, that Ph{oe}bus fiery carre
8 In hast was climbing vp the Easterne hill,
Full enuious that night so long his roome did fill.

1 By this the northern wagoner had set

this > [this time] northern wagoner > (The constellation of Bo{o"}tes (from the Greek word for "ploughman"), also called the Bear Driver, or Herdsman; it lies to the south and east of Ursa Major)

2 His sevenfold team behind the steadfast star

sevenfold team > (The seven stars of Ursa Major (the Great Bear, Plow, Wain, or, in Britain, the Wagon); they point to Polaris) steadfast star > (Polaris, the Pole Star)

3 That was in ocean waves yet never wet,

never wet > (Because, north of 41{degree-sign}N, Ursa Major never sets)

4 But firm is fixed, and sends light from far 5 To all that in the wide deep wandering are: 6 And cheerful Chanticleer, with his note shrill,

Chanticleer > ("Shrill-singer". The name of the cock in Reynard the Fox (see Martin, 1882-7) and Chaucer's The Nun's Priest's Tale; see also As You Like It II vii 30)

7 Had warned once that Phoebus' fiery car

once > once and for all, finally Phoebus > (Who each day drives his chariot across the sky) car > wheeled vehicle; hence: chariot

8 In haste was climbing up the eastern hill, 9 Full envious that Night so long his room did fill.

Full > Very, exceedingly room > place, space

102.2

When those accursed messengers of hell,
2 That feigning dreame, and that faire-forged Spright
Came to their wicked maister, and gan tell
4 Their bootelesse paines, and ill succeeding night:
Who all in rage to see his skilfull might
6 Deluded so, gan threaten hellish paine
And sad Proserpines wrath, them to affright.
8 But when he saw his threatning was but vaine,
He cast about, and searcht his balefull bookes againe.

1 When those accursed messengers of hell

When > Then; at that time

2 (That feigning dream, and that fair-forged sprite) 3 Came to their wicked master, and gan tell

gan > did tell > tell of, describe

4 Their bootless pains, and ill-succeeding night:

bootless > futile

5 Who, all in rage to see his skilful might 6 Deluded so, gan threaten hellish pain

Deluded > Frustrated gan > did

7 And sad Proserpine's wrath, them to affright.

sad > dismal, dark; sad Proserpine > (Daughter of Ceres and Jupiter. Carried off by Pluto to be his consort in the underworld; the queen of hell) affright > frighten

8 But when he saw his threatening was but vain, 9 He cast about, and searched his baleful books again.

102.3

Eftsoones he tooke that miscreated faire,
2 And that false other Spright, on whom he spred
A seeming body of the subtile aire,
4 Like a young Squire, in loues and +lusty-hed+
His wanton dayes that euer loosely led,
6 Without regard of armes and dreaded fight:
Those two he tooke, and in a secret bed,
8 Couered with darknesse and misdeeming night,
Them both together laid, to ioy in vaine delight.

4 lusty-hed > lusty-hed. 1596

1 Eftsoons he took that miscreated fair,

Eftsoons > Soon afterwards that miscreated fair > [the sprite resembling Una; miscreated = evilly or falsely created]

2 And that false other sprite, on whom he spread 3 A seeming body of the subtile air,

subtile > rarefied, thin; subtle

4 Like a young squire, in loves and lustihead

lustihead > libidinousness, pleasure; lustfulness

5 His wanton days that ever loosely led,

that > (Relative to "Squire" in line 4, i.e. "Like a young squire, that in loves and lustihood His wanton days ever loosely led)

6 Without regard of arms and dreaded fight:

arms > deeds of arms

7 Those two he took, and in a secret bed, 8 Covered with darkness and misdeeming night,

misdeeming > {Misleading; to "misdeem" is also to misjudge unfavourably, to deem evil}

9 Them both together laid, to joy in vain delight.

vain > weak, foolish; or, since their bodies are made of air: unavailing, insubstantial

102.4

Forthwith he runnes with feigned faithfull hast
2 Vnto his guest, who after troublous sights
And dreames, gan now to take more sound repast,
4 Whom suddenly he wakes with fearefull frights,
As one aghast with feends or damned sprights,
6 And to him cals, Rise rise vnhappy Swaine,
That here wex old in sleepe, whiles wicked wights
8 Haue knit themselues in Venus shamefull chaine;
Come see, where your false Lady doth her honour staine.

1 Forthwith he runs with feigned faithful haste 2 To his guest, who, after troublous sights 3 And dreams, began now to take more sound repast;

repast > refreshment; repose

4 Whom suddenly he wakes with fearful frights, 5 As one aghast with fiends or damned sprites,

aghast > terrified (especially with superstitious fear)

6 And to him calls, "Rise, rise, unhappy swain,

swain > young man

7 That here wax old in sleep, while wicked wights

wax > grow wights > people

8 Have knit themselves in Venus' shameful chain; 9 Come, see where your false lady does her honour stain!"

102.5

All in amaze he suddenly vp start
2 With sword in hand, and with the old man went;
Who soone him brought into a secret part,
4 Where that false couple were full closely ment
In wanton lust and lewd embracement:
6 Which when he saw, he burnt with gealous fire,
The eye of reason was with rage yblent,
8 And would haue slaine them in his furious ire,
But hardly was restreined of that aged sire.

1 All in amaze he suddenly upstart

amaze > confusion; amazement upstart > started up

2 With sword in hand, and with the old man went; 3 Who soon him brought into a secret part, 4 Where that false couple were full closely ment

full > very, exceedingly ment > joined; united sexually (pa. ppl. of "meng")

5 In wanton lust and lewd embracement:

embracement > embrace, embraces; willing acceptance, hence: eagerness

6 Which when he saw, he burnt with jealous fire 7 (The eye of reason was with rage blended),

blended > dazzled, temporarily blinded, blinded; also: stirred up, hence: rendered turbid, defiled

8 And would have slain them in his furious ire, 9 But hardly was restrained of that aged sire.

hardly > forcibly; with difficulty; barely of > by sire > father, elderly man

102.6

Returning to his bed in torment great,
2 And bitter anguish of his guiltie sight,
He could not rest, but did his stout heart eat,
4 And wast his inward gall with deepe despight,
Yrkesome of life, and too long lingring night.
6 At last faire Hesperus in highest skie
Had spent his lampe, and brought forth dawning light,
8 Then vp he rose, and clad him hastily;
The Dwarfe him brought his steed: so both away do fly.

1 Returning to his bed in torment great, 2 And bitter anguish of his guilty sight,

sight > vision

3 He could not rest, but did his stout heart eat,

stout > brave

4 And waste his inward gall with deep despite,

gall > rancour (said to have its seat in the gall) despite > anger, malice

5 Irksome of life and too-long lingering night.

Irksome of > Weary of, disgusted with

6 At last fair Hesperus in highest sky

Hesperus > (Name for the planet Venus when it appears as the evening star; Venus is also the morning star)

7 Had spent his lamp, and brought forth dawning light, 8 Then up he rose, and clad himself hastily; 9 The dwarf him brought his steed: so both away do fly.

102.7

Now when the rosy-fingred Morning faire,
2 Weary of aged Tithones saffron bed,
Had spred her purple robe through deawy aire,
4 And the high hils Titan discouered,
The royall virgin shooke off drowsy-hed,
6 And rising forth out of her baser bowre,
Lookt for her knight, who far away was fled,
8 And for her Dwarfe, that wont to wait each houre;
Then gan she waile and weepe, to see that woefull stowre.

1 Now when the rosy-fingered Morning fair,

Morning > (Aurora, goddess of the dawn)

2 Weary of aged Tithonus' saffron bed,

Tithonus > (Son of the king of Troy and husband of Aurora. Through Aurora's prayers the gods bestowed immortality on Tithonus, but she forgot to pray for his perpetual youth, so that he was doomed to eternal old age. Eventually she shut him up in his chamber and turned him into a cicada)

3 Had spread her purple robe through dewy air, 4 And the high hills Titan discovered,

Titan > (The sun) discovered > [had] revealed

5 The royal virgin shook off drowsihood;

drowsihood > drowsiness

6 And, rising forth out of her baser bower,

baser > too-base, lowly; or: lowlier [than Aurora's] bower > room, chamber

7 Looked for her knight, who far away was fled, 8 And for her dwarf, that wont to wait each hour;

wont > was accustomed wait > keep watch; attend; attend [upon her]

9 Then gan she wail and weep, to see that woeful stour.

gan > did stour > distress, unhappy condition

102.8

And after him she rode with so much speede
2 As her slow beast could make; but all in vaine:
For him so far had borne his light-foot steede,
4 Pricked with wrath and fiery fierce disdaine,
That him to follow was but fruitlesse paine;
6 Yet she her weary limbes would neuer rest,
But euery hill and dale, each wood and plaine
8 Did search, sore grieued in her gentle brest,
He so vngently left her, whom she +loued+ best.

9 loued > louest 1596

1 And after him she rode, with so much speed

so > as

2 As her slow beast could make; but all in vain: 3 For him so far had borne his lightfoot steed,

lightfoot > light-footed

4 Pricked with wrath and fiery fierce disdain,

Pricked > Spurred (the knight and the horse; in FQ the steed frequently symbolizes its rider's mood or nature: see, for example, 102.13:7) disdain > anger; malice, resentment

5 That him to follow was but fruitless pain;

pain > labour, effort

6 Yet she her weary limbs would never rest, 7 But every hill and dale, each wood and plain, 8 Did search, sore grieved in her gentle breast,

gentle > noble; gentle

9 He so ungently left her, whom she loved best.

He > [That he had] ungently > ignobly; rudely

102.9

But subtill Archimago, when his guests
2 He saw diuided into double parts,
And Vna wandring in woods and forrests,
4 Th'end of his drift, he praisd his diuelish arts,
That had such might ouer true meaning harts;
6 Yet rests not so, but other meanes doth make,
How he may worke vnto her further smarts:
8 For her he hated as the hissing snake,
And in her many troubles did most pleasure take.

1 But subtle Archimago, when his guests

subtle > sly, crafty

2 He saw divided into double parts, 3 And Una wandering in woods and forests 4 (The end of his drift), he praised his devilish arts,

end > purpose; also: result drift > plot, scheme

5 That had such might over true-meaning hearts; 6 Yet rests not so, but other means does make, 7 How he may work to her further smarts:

smarts > pains

8 For her he hated as the hissing snake, 9 And in her many troubles did most pleasure take.

102.10

He then deuisde himselfe how to disguise;
2 For by his mightie science he could take
As many formes and shapes in seeming wise,
4 As euer Proteus to himselfe could make:
Sometime a fowle, sometime a fish in lake,
6 Now like a foxe, now like a dragon fell,
That of himselfe he oft for feare would quake,
8 And oft would flie away. O who can tell
The hidden power of herbes, and might of Magicke spell?

1 He then devised himself how to disguise; 2 For by his mighty science he could take

science > knowledge, lore

3 As many forms and shapes in seeming wise

seeming wise > [manner of outward appearance]

4 As ever Proteus to himself could make:

Proteus > (The Old Man of the Sea, a god who could assume any shape or form when trying to evade questioners)

5 Sometime a fowl, sometime a fish in lake,

Sometime > Sometimes

6 Now like a fox, now like a dragon fell,

fell > fierce, terrible

7 That of himself he oft for fear would quake,

That > [So that]

8 And oft would fly away. O who can tell 9 The hidden power of herbs, and might of magic spell?

102.11

But now seemde best, the person to put on
2 Of that good knight, his late beguiled guest:
In mighty armes he was yclad +anon,+
4 And siluer +shield:+ vpon his coward brest
A bloudy crosse, and on his crauen crest
6 A bounch of haires discolourd diuersly:
Full iolly knight he seemde, and well addrest,
8 And when he sate vpon his courser free,
Saint George himselfe ye would haue deemed him to be.

3 anon, > anon: 1590, 1596 4 shield: > shield, 1590, 1596

1 But now seemed best the person to put on

seemed > [it seemed] person to put on > [appearance to assume]

2 Of that good knight, his late beguiled guest:

late > recently

3 In mighty arms he was clad anon,

anon > straightway

4 And silver shield: upon his coward breast 5 A bloody cross, and on his craven crest

bloody > blood-red

6 A bunch of hairs discoloured diversely:

hairs > plumes; perhaps horsehair plumes discoloured > varicoloured

7 Full jolly knight he seemed, and well addressed;

Full > Very jolly > gallant; handsome; fine addressed > armed, arrayed

8 And, when he sat upon his courser free,

free > willing

9 Saint George himself you would have deemed him to be.

102.12

But he the knight, whose semblaunt he did beare,
2 The true Saint George was wandred far away,
Still flying from his thoughts and gealous feare;
4 Will was his guide, and griefe led him astray.
At last him chaunst to meete vpon the way
6 A faithlesse Sarazin all arm'd to point,
In whose great shield was writ with letters gay
8 Sans foy: full large of limbe and euery ioint
He was, and cared not for God or man a point.

1 But he, the knight, whose semblant he did bear,

semblant > outward aspect

2 The true Saint George, was wandered far away, 3 Still flying from his thoughts and jealous fear; 4 Will was his guide, and grief led him astray.

grief > rage, pain; grief

5 At last him chanced to meet upon the way 6 A faithless Saracen, all armed to point,

Saracen > {Arab or Moslem of the time of the Crusades; pagan} to point > to the smallest detail, completely

7 In whose great shield was writ with letters gay

In > [On] writ > painted

8 Sansfoy: full large of limb and every joint

Sansfoy > "Without Faith" (French, sans foi) full > very, exceedingly

9 He was, and cared not for God or man a point.

point > jot, whit

102.13

He had a faire companion of his way,
2 A goodly Lady clad in scarlot red,
Purfled with gold and pearle of rich assay,
4 And like a Persian mitre on her hed
She wore, with crownes and owches garnished,
6 The which her lauish louers to her gaue;
Her wanton palfrey all was ouerspred
8 With tinsell trappings, wouen like a waue,
Whose bridle rung with golden bels and bosses braue.

1 He had a fair companion of his way,

companion of his way > travelling companion

2 A goodly lady clad in scarlet red

goodly > beautiful scarlet > {A rich kind of cloth, usually red or orange in colour; see Rev. 17.4; and Isa. 1.18}

3 Purfled with gold and pearl of rich assay,

Purfled > {Embroidered along the edge; trimmed with metallic lace, pearls, etc.} assay > quality; proven worth

4 And like a Persian mitre on her head

mitre > head-dress; sacerdotal head-dress (often associated with episcopal office or dignity)

5 She wore, with crowns and ouches garnished,

ouches > {Jewels; golden sockets to hold these}

6 Which her lavish lovers to her gave;

lavish > lavish; licentious

7 Her wanton palfrey all was overspread

wanton > playful, unruly; wanton palfrey > {Saddle-horse for ladies}

8 With tinsel trappings, woven like a wave,

tinsel > {Glittering, sparkling with interwoven golden or silver thread}

9 Whose bridle rang with golden bells and bosses brave.

bosses > studs brave > splendid, fine; showy

102.14

With faire disport and courting dalliaunce
2 She intertainde her louer all the way:
But when she saw the knight his speare aduaunce,
4 She soone left off her mirth and wanton play,
And bad her knight addresse him to the fray:
6 His foe was nigh at hand. He prickt with pride
And hope to winne his Ladies heart that day,
8 Forth spurred fast: adowne his coursers side
The red bloud trickling staind the way, as he did ride.

1 With fair disport and courting dalliance

disport > merriment, entertainment, wanton entertainment; diversion (including the sense of "diverting from the true path") courting > amorous dalliance > {Idle and amusing talk}

2 She entertained her lover all the way: 3 But when she saw the knight his spear advance,

advance > raise; advance

4 She soon left off her mirth and wanton play, 5 And bade her knight address himself to the fray: 6 His foe was nigh at hand. He, pricked with pride 7 And hope to win his lady's heart that day, 8 Forth spurred fast: down his courser's side 9 The red blood trickling stained the way as he did ride.

102.15

The knight of the Redcrosse when him he spide,
2 Spurring so hote with rage +dispiteous+,
Gan fairely couch his speare, and towards ride:
4 Soone meete they both, both fell and furious,
That daunted with their forces hideous,
6 Their steeds do stagger, and amazed stand,
And eke themselues too rudely rigorous,
8 Astonied with the stroke of their owne hand,
Do backe rebut, and each to other yeeldeth land.

2 dispiteous > dispighteous 1609

1 The Knight of the Redcross, when him he spied, 2 Spurring so hot with rage dispiteous,

dispiteous > pitiless

3 Gan fairly couch his spear, and towards ride:

Gan > Did fairly > well, expertly couch > {Place it in its rest and hold it ready for attack} towards > in his [Sansfoy's] direction

4 Soon meet they both, both fell and furious,

fell > fierce, terrible

5 That, daunted with their forces hideous,

That > [So that] hideous > terrific; immense

6 Their steeds do stagger, and amazed stand, 7 And eke themselves, too rudely rigorous,

eke > moreover rudely > roughly rigorous > violent

8 Astonied with the stroke of their own hand,

Astonied > Stunned; amazed; dismayed

9 Do back rebut, and each to other yields land.

rebut > recoil

102.16

As when two rams stird with ambitious pride,
2 Fight for the rule of the rich fleeced flocke,
Their horned fronts so fierce on either side
4 Do meete, that with the terrour of the shocke
Astonied both, stand sencelesse as a blocke,
6 Forgetfull of the hanging victory:
So stood these twaine, vnmoued as a rocke,
8 Both staring fierce, and holding +idlely+
The broken reliques of their former cruelty.

8 idlely > idely, 1590, 1596

1 As when two rams, stirred with ambitious pride, 2 Fight for the rule of the rich fleeced flock, 3 Their horned fronts so fierce on either side

fronts > foreheads

4 Do meet, that, with the terror of the shock, 5 Astonied, both stand senseless as a block,

Astonied > Stunned

6 Forgetful of the hanging victory:

hanging > pending, undecided

7 So stood these twain, unmoved as a rock, 8 Both staring fierce, and holding idly 9 The broken relics of their former cruelty.

relics > [their spears]

102.17

The Sarazin sore daunted with the buffe
2 Snatcheth his sword, and fiercely to him flies;
Who well it wards, and quyteth cuff with cuff:
4 Each others equall puissaunce enuies,
And through their iron sides with +cruell spies+
6 Does seeke to perce: repining courage yields
No foote to foe. The flashing fier flies
8 As from a forge out of their burning shields,
And streames of purple bloud new +dies+ the verdant fields.

5 cruell spies > cruelties 1590 etc.: FE 9 dies > die 1609

1 The Saracen, sore daunted with the buff,

buff > buffet, blow

2 Snatches his sword, and fiercely to him flies; 3 Who well it wards, and requites cuff with cuff: 4 Each other's equal puissance envies,

other's > [the other's] puissance > power, strength envies > vies with, seeks to rival; begrudges

5 And through their iron sides with cruel spies

cruel > fierce spies > looks, glances

6 Does seek to pierce: repining courage yields

repining > fretting; discontented

7 No foot to foe. The flashing fire flies, 8 As from a forge, out of their burning shields, 9 And streams of purple blood new dye the verdant fields.

purple > red

102.18

Curse on that Crosse (quoth then the Sarazin)
2 That keepes thy body from the bitter fit;
Dead long ygoe I wote thou haddest bin,
4 Had not that charme from thee forwarned it:
But yet I warne thee now assured sitt,
6 And hide thy head. Therewith vpon his crest
With rigour so outrageous he smitt,
8 That a large share it hewd out of the rest,
And glauncing downe his shield, from blame him fairely blest.

1 "Curse on that cross," quoth then the Saracen, 2 "That keeps your body from the bitter fit;

the bitter fit > [death]

3 Dead long ago, I wot, you had been,

wot > know

4 Had not that charm from you forwarned it:

charm > talisman (an insult, since the use of magic is forbidden by the code of chivalry) forwarned > prohibited; hence: spared

5 But yet I warn you, now assured sit

assured > (Derisively) in safety [in the protection of your cross]

6 And hide your head." Therewith upon his crest

Therewith > With that

7 With rigour so outrageous he smote,

rigour > violence outrageous > excessively fierce

8 That a large share it hewed out of the rest,

share > portion; piece sheared away

9 And, glancing down his shield, from blame him fairly blessed.

blame > injury fairly > actually, really [from blame it really did him bless]; completely blessed > spared, preserved

102.19

Who thereat wondrous wroth, the sleeping spark
2 Of natiue vertue gan eftsoones reuiue,
And at his haughtie helmet making mark,
4 So hugely +stroke+, that it the steele did riue,
And cleft his head. He tumbling downe aliue,
6 With bloudy mouth his mother earth did kis,
Greeting his graue: his grudging ghost did striue
8 With the fraile flesh; at last it flitted is,
Whither the soules do fly of men, that liue amis.

4 stroke > strooke 1609

1 Who, thereat wondrous wroth, the sleeping spark 2 Of native virtue gan eftsoons revive,

native > innate virtue > strength, worth; valour gan > did eftsoons > thereupon

3 And at his haughty helmet making mark,

haughty > proud; lofty

4 So hugely struck that it the steel did rive, 5 And cleft his head. He, tumbling down alive,

cleft > split

6 With bloody mouth his mother earth did kiss, 7 Greeting his grave: his grudging ghost did strive

grudging > complaining ghost > spirit

8 With the frail flesh; at last it flitted is, 9 Whither the souls do fly of men that live amiss.

102.20

The Lady when she saw her champion fall,
2 Like the old ruines of a broken towre,
Staid not to waile his woefull funerall,
4 But from him fled away with all her powre;
Who after her as hastily gan scowre,
6 Bidding the Dwarfe with him to bring away
The Sarazins shield, signe of the conqueroure.
8 Her soone he ouertooke, and bad to stay,
For present cause was none of dread her to dismay.

1 The lady, when she saw her champion fall 2 Like the old ruins of a broken tower, 3 Stayed not to wail his woeful funeral,

wail > mourn funeral > death

4 But from him fled away with all her power,

him > [the Redcross Knight]

5 Who after her as hastily gan scour,

gan > did scour > run

6 Bidding the dwarf with him to bring away 7 The Saracen's shield, sign of the conqueror.

sign > emblem

8 Her soon he overtook, and bade to stay, 9 For present cause was none of dread to her dismay.

none of dread > [nothing dreadful] to her dismay > [to dismay her; to "dismay" also = to "defeat", "ruin">[

102.21

She turning backe with ruefull countenaunce,
2 Cride, Mercy mercy Sir vouchsafe to show
On silly Dame, subiect to hard mischaunce,
4 And to your mighty will. Her humblesse low
In so ritch weedes and seeming glorious show,
6 Did much emmoue his stout hero{i"}cke heart,
And said, Deare dame, your suddein ouerthrow
8 Much rueth me; but now put feare apart,
And tell, both who ye be, and who that tooke your part.

1 She, turning back with rueful countenance, 2 Cried, "Mercy, mercy, sir, vouchsafe to show 3 On silly dame, subject to hard mischance,

silly > innocent, defenceless

4 And to your mighty will." Her humblesse low,

humblesse > humbleness, humility

5 In so rich weeds and seeming glorious show,

so > such weeds > attire show > appearance

6 Did much move his stout heroic heart, 7 And said, "Dear dame, your sudden overthrow

said > [he said]

8 Much rues me; but now put fear apart,

rues > affects [with pity or compassion] apart > aside

9 And tell both who you be, and who that took your part."

102.22

Melting in teares, then gan she thus lament;
2 The wretched woman, whom vnhappy howre
Hath now made thrall to your commandement,
4 Before that angry heauens list to lowre,
And fortune false betraide me to +your+ powre,
6 Was, (O what now auaileth that I +was!+)
Borne the sole daughter of an Emperour,
8 He that the wide West vnder his rule has,
And high hath set his throne, where Tiberis doth pas.

5 your > thy 1590; cf. 101.31:6 6 was! > was? 1590

1 Melting in tears, then gan she thus lament:

gan > did

2 "The wretched woman, whom unhappy hour 3 Has now made thrall to your commandment,

thrall > slave commandment > authority, control

4 Before angry heavens list to lour,

list > chose, pleased

5 And fortune false betrayed me to your power, 6 Was (O what now avails that I was?)

that > [that which, what]

7 Born the sole daughter of an emperor, 8 He that the wide west under his rule has, 9 And high has set his throne where the Tiber does pass.

the Tiber > (The River Tiber: an overt reference to Rome)

102.23

He in the first flowre of my freshest age,
2 Betrothed me vnto the onley haire
Of a most mighty king, most rich and sage;
4 Was neuer Prince so faithfull and so faire,
Was neuer Prince so meeke and debonaire;
6 But ere my hoped day of spousall shone,
My dearest Lord fell from high honours staire,
8 Into the hands of his accursed fone,
And cruelly was slaine, that shall I euer mone.

1 "He, in the first flower of my freshest age, 2 Betrothed me to the only heir 3 Of a most mighty king, most rich and sage; 4 Was never prince so faithful and so fair, 5 Was never prince so meek and debonair;

meek > gentle; courteous, kind; merciful, indulgent debonair > affable, gracious

6 But ere my hoped day of spousal shone,

day of spousal > wedding day

7 My dearest lord fell from high honour's stair

My dearest lord > [Christ] stair > {A step or degree in the scale of rank; cf. 207.46:9}

8 Into the hands of his accursed foes, 9 And cruelly was slain; that shall I ever moan.

moan > bewail

102.24

His blessed body spoild of liuely breath,
2 Was afterward, I know not how, conuaid
And fro me hid: of whose most innocent death
4 When tidings came to me vnhappy maid,
O how great sorrow my sad soule assaid.
6 Then forth I went his woefull corse to find,
And many yeares throughout the world I straid,
8 A virgin widow, whose deepe wounded mind
With loue, long time did languish as the striken hind.

1 "His blessed body, spoiled of lively breath,

spoiled of lively > robbed of living

2 Was afterward, I know not how, conveyed

conveyed > removed, removed in an underhand manner

3 And from me hidden: of whose most innocent death

innocent > undeserved; guiltless

4 When tidings came to me, unhappy maid,

unhappy > unfortunate; unhappy

5 Oh! how great sorrow my sad soul assayed.

how great > how greatly; or: such a great assayed > tested, made trial of; assailed

6 Then forth I went, his woeful corse to find,

corse > body

7 And many years throughout the world I strayed, 8 A virgin widow, whose deep wounded mind

deep > deeply; deep

9 With love long time did languish, as the stricken hind.

the stricken hind > (A simile applied (Aen. 4.68-9) to Dido, who literally burned for the love of Aeneas)

102.25

At last it chaunced this proud +Sarazin,+
2 To meete me wandring, who perforce me led
With him away, but yet could neuer win
4 The Fort, that Ladies hold in soueraigne dread.
There lies he now with foule dishonour dead,
6 Who whiles he liu'de, was called proud Sans foy,
The eldest of three brethren, all three bred
8 Of one bad sire, whose youngest is Sans ioy,
And twixt them both was borne the bloudy bold Sans loy.

1 Sarazin, > Sarazin 1609

1 "At last it chanced this proud Saracen 2 To meet me wandering, who perforce me led

perforce > forcibly

3 With him away, but yet could never win 4 The fort that ladies hold in sovereign dread. 5 There lies he now with foul dishonour dead, 6 Who, while he lived, was called proud Sansfoy, 7 The eldest of three brethren, all three bred 8 Of one bad sire, whose youngest is Sansjoy,

sire > father Sansjoy > "Without Joy"

9 And 'twixt them both was born the bloody bold Sansloy.

Sansloy > "Without Law"

102.26

In this sad plight, friendlesse, vnfortunate,
2 Now miserable I Fidessa dwell,
Crauing of you in pitty of my state,
4 To do none ill, if please ye not do well.
He in great passion all this while did dwell,
6 More busying his quicke eyes, her face to view,
Then his dull eares, to heare what she did tell;
8 And said, +faire+ Lady hart of flint would rew
The vndeserued woes and sorrowes, which ye shew.

8 faire > Faire 1609

1 "In this sad plight, friendless, unfortunate, 2 Now miserable I, Fidessa, dwell,

Fidessa > "Faithful" (Latin, fidelis esse, to be faithful)

3 Craving of you, in pity of my state, 4 To do no ill, if please you not do well."

ill > evil if please > [if it pleases] do > [to do]

5 He in great passion all this while did dwell,

dwell > remain

6 More busying his quick eyes her face to view, 7 Than his dull ears to hear what she did tell; 8 And said, "Fair lady, heart of flint would rue 9 The undeserved woes and sorrows which you show.

show > give an account of

102.27

Henceforth in safe assuraunce may ye rest,
2 Hauing both found a new friend you to aid,
And lost an old foe, that did you molest:
4 Better new friend then an old foe is said.
With chaunge of cheare the seeming simple maid
6 Let fall her eyen, as shamefast to the earth,
And yeelding soft, in that she nought gain-said,
8 So forth they rode, he feining seemely merth,
And she coy lookes: +so dainty+ they say maketh derth.

9 so dainty > so, Dainty 1609

1 "Henceforth in safe assurance may you rest,

assurance > security; also: engagement to be married

2 Having both found a new friend you to aid,

friend > friend; lover

3 And lost an old foe that did you molest: 4 Better new friend than an old foe, is said."

is > [it is]

5 With change of cheer the seeming simple maid

cheer > expression; mood

6 Let fall her eyes, as shamefast, to the earth,

as shamefast > [as if bashful]

7 And yielding soft, in that she naught gainsaid. 8 So forth they rode, he feigning seemly mirth, 9 And she coy looks: so, dainty, they say, makes dearth.

dainty, they say, makes dearth > (Dearth makes something dainty. Applied to food, dearth = scarceness; dainty = choice, delicious. And, generally: dearth = dearness, rarity; dainty = delightful. In either event this is a restatement of the Latin proverb, quae rara, cara: what is scarce is esteemed or becomes estimable. In other words, her very coyness serves to increase his desire)

102.28

Long time they thus together traueiled,
2 Till weary of their way, they came at last,
Where grew two goodly trees, that faire did spred
4 Their armes abroad, with gray mosse ouercast,
And their greene leaues trembling with euery blast,
6 Made a calme shadow far in compasse round:
The fearefull Shepheard often there aghast
8 Vnder them neuer sat, ne wont there sound
His mery oaten pipe, but shund th'vnlucky ground.

1 Long time they thus together travelled, 2 Till, weary of their way, they came at last 3 Where grew two goodly trees, that fair did spread

goodly > beautiful

4 Their arms abroad, with grey moss overcast,

abroad > widely, over a broad area overcast > covered, overlaid

5 And their green leaves, trembling with every blast,

blast > gust

6 Made a calm shadow far in compass round: 7 The fearful shepherd, often there aghast,

aghast > frightened (especially with superstitious fear)

8 Under them never sat, nor wont there sound

wont > was accustomed to; would

9 His merry oaten pipe, but shunned the unlucky ground.

merry > delightful, charming oaten > (Shepherds' pipes were supposedly made of oat stalks)

102.29

But this good knight soone as he them can spie,
2 For the coole +shade him thither+ hastly got:
For golden Ph{oe}bus now +ymounted+ hie,
4 From fiery wheeles of his faire chariot
Hurled his beame so scorching cruell hot,
6 That liuing creature mote it not abide;
And his new Lady it endured not.
8 There they alight, in hope themselues to hide
From the fierce heat, and rest their weary limbs a tide.

2 shade him thither > shade thither 1596; shadow thither 1609 3 ymounted > that mounted 1590 etc.: FE

1 But this good knight, soon as he them can spy,

soon > [as soon] can > did

2 For the cool shade him thither hastily got: 3 For golden Phoebus, now mounted high, 4 From fiery wheels of his fair chariot

From > [From the]

5 Hurled his beam so scorching cruel hot, 6 That living creature might it not abide; 7 And his new lady it endured not. 8 There they alight, in hope themselves to hide 9 From the fierce heat, and rest their weary limbs a tide.

tide > while

102.30

Faire seemly pleasaunce each to other makes,
2 With goodly purposes there as they sit:
And in his falsed fancy he her takes
4 To be the fairest wight, that liued yit;
Which to expresse, he bends his gentle wit,
6 And thinking of those braunches greene to frame
A girlond for her dainty forehead fit,
8 He pluckt a bough; out of whose rift there came
Small drops of gory bloud, that trickled downe the same.

1 Fair seemly pleasance each to other makes,

pleasance > courtesy, pleasing behaviour

2 With goodly purposes, there as they sit:

goodly > (Ironic) fine, elevated; courteous purposes > intentions

3 And in his falsed fancy he her takes

falsed > corrupted; failing

4 To be the fairest wight that lived yet;

wight > person, woman

5 Which to express, he bends his gentle wit,

bends > turns, applies; perverts from its usual trend; also, from Old English: puts in bonds; hence: constrains, confines

6 And, thinking of those branches green to frame 7 A garland for her dainty forehead fit,

dainty > {Delightful; of delicate beauty}

8 He plucked a bough; out of whose rift there came

rift > fissure

9 Small drops of gory blood, that trickled down the same.

102.31

Therewith a piteous yelling voyce was heard,
2 Crying, O spare with guilty hands to teare
My tender sides in this rough rynd embard,
4 But fly, ah fly far hence away, for feare
Least to you hap, that happened to me heare,
6 And to this wretched Lady, my deare loue,
O too deare loue, loue bought with death too deare.
8 Astond he stood, and vp his haire did houe,
And with that suddein horror could no member moue.

1 Therewith a piteous yelling voice was heard,

Therewith > With that; thereupon

2 Crying, "O spare with guilty hands to tear

guilty > criminal; conscious, cognizant

3 My tender sides, in this rough rind embarred:

embarred > imprisoned

4 But fly, ah! fly far hence away, for fear

fly > flee

5 Lest to you hap that happened to me here,

that > [that which]

6 And to this wretched lady, my dear love; 7 O too dear love, love bought with death too dear!"

dear > grievous, hard

8 Astound he stood, and up his hair did hove,

Astound > Stunned, confounded hove > rise

9 And with that sudden horror could no member move.

102.32

At last whenas the dreadfull passion
2 Was ouerpast, and manhood well awake,
Yet musing at the straunge occasion,
4 And doubting much his sence, he thus bespake;
What voyce of damned Ghost from Limbo lake,
6 Or guilefull spright wandring in empty aire,
Both which fraile men do oftentimes mistake,
8 Sends to my doubtfull eares these speaches rare,
And ruefull plaints, me bidding +guiltlesse+ bloud to spare?

9 guiltlesse > guitlesse 1596

1 At last when the dreadful passion

dreadful > [full of dread, full of fear]

2 Was overpassed, and manhood well awake,

overpassed > past

3 Yet musing at the strange occasion,

musing > wondering, marvelling occasion > {Event, turn of events; also: opportunity (Latin occasio), because this is a chance for him to learn the true nature of his companion}

4 And doubting much his sense, he thus bespoke:

bespoke > spoke

5 "What voice of damned ghost from Limbo-lake,

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))

6 Or guileful sprite wandering in empty air 7 (Both which frail men do oftentimes mistake),

which > [of which] oftentimes > frequently, often mistake > imagine erroneously; or: mislead (so glossed by some editors, though this sense is not mentioned in OED)

8 Sends to my doubtful ears these speeches rare,

doubtful > fearful, apprehensive; doubting rare > unusual, strange

9 And rueful plaints, me bidding guiltless blood to spare?"

plaints > lamentations

102.33

Then groning deepe, Nor damned Ghost, (quoth he,)
2 Nor guilefull sprite to thee these wordes doth speake,
But once a man Fradubio, now a tree,
4 Wretched man, wretched tree; whose nature weake,
A cruell witch her cursed will to wreake,
6 Hath thus transformd, and plast in open plaines,
Where Boreas doth blow full bitter bleake,
8 And scorching Sunne does dry my secret vaines:
For though a tree I seeme, yet cold and heat me paines.

1 Then, groaning deep: "Nor damned ghost," quoth he,

Nor > Neither

2 "Nor guileful sprite to you these words does speak, 3 But once a man, Fradubio, now a tree;

Fradubio > "Brother Doubt" (Italian)

4 Wretched man, wretched tree, whose nature weak 5 A cruel witch, her cursed will to wreak, 6 Has thus transformed, and placed in open plains, 7 Where Boreas does blow full bitter bleak,

Boreas > (The north wind) full > very, exceedingly

8 And scorching sun does dry my secret veins: 9 For though a tree I seem, yet cold and heat me pains."

102.34

Say on Fradubio then, or man, or tree,
2 Quoth then the knight, by whose mischieuous arts
Art thou misshaped thus, as now I see?
4 He oft finds med'cine, who his griefe imparts;
But double griefs afflict concealing harts,
6 As raging flames who striueth to suppresse.
The author then (said he) of all my smarts,
8 Is one Duessa a false sorceresse,
That many errant knights hath brought to wretchednesse.

1 "Say on, Fradubio, then, +or+ man or tree,"

or > either, whether

2 Quoth then the knight. "By whose mischievous arts

mischievous > harmful; ill-intentioned

3 Are you misshapen thus, as now I see? 4 He oft finds medicine who his grief imparts;

imparts > relates, makes known

5 But double griefs afflict concealing hearts, 6 As raging flames, who strives to suppress."

who > [he who] suppress > [suppress his grief]

7 "The author then," said he, "of all my smarts

smarts > pains

8 Is one Duessa, a false sorceress,

Duessa > "Duplicity" (Latin, duo esse, to be two)

9 That many errant knights has brought to wretchedness.

errant > itinerant (a knight errant roamed in quest of adventure; the word-order here also implies the sense of erring, deviating, etc.)

102.35

In prime of youthly yeares, when corage hot
2 The fire of loue and ioy of cheualree
First kindled in my brest, it was my lot
4 To loue this gentle Lady, whom ye see,
Now not a Lady, but a seeming tree;
6 With whom as once I rode accompanyde,
Me chaunced of a knight encountred bee,
8 That had a like faire Lady by his syde,
Like a faire Lady, but did fowle Duessa hyde.

1 "In prime of youthly years, when courage hot

youthly > youthful courage > heart; spirit; lustiness

2 The fire of love and joy of chivalry 3 First kindled in my breast, it was my lot 4 To love this gentle lady, whom you see

gentle > noble; gentle

5 Now not a lady, but a seeming tree; 6 With whom, as once I rode accompanied, 7 Me chanced of a knight encountered be,

be > [to be]

8 That had a like fair lady by his side,

like > similarly; similar

9 Like a fair lady, but did foul Duessa hide.

102.36

Whose forged beauty he did take in hand,
2 All other Dames to haue exceeded farre;
I in defence of mine did likewise stand,
4 Mine, that did then shine as the Morning starre:
So both to battell fierce arraunged arre,
6 In which his harder fortune was to fall
Vnder my speare: such is the dye of warre:
8 His Lady left as a prise martiall,
Did yield her comely person, to be at my call.

1 "Whose forged beauty he did take in hand

take in hand > maintain, assert (by force of arms if necessary)

2 All other dames to have exceeded far;

All > [That of all]

3 I in defence of mine did likewise stand, 4 Mine, that did then shine as the morning star: 5 So both to battle fierce arranged are, 6 In which his harder fortune was to fall 7 Under my spear: such is the die of war.

die > hazard, chance

8 His lady, left as a prize martial,

prize martial > spoil of war

9 Did yield her comely person to be at my call.

102.37

So doubly lou'd of Ladies vnlike faire,
2 Th'one seeming such, the other such indeede,
One day in doubt I cast for to compare,
4 Whether in beauties glorie did exceede;
A Rosy girlond was the victors meede:
6 Both seemde to win, and both seemde won to bee,
So hard the discord was to be agreede.
8 Fr{ae}lissa was as faire, as faire mote bee,
And euer false Duessa seemde as faire as shee.

1 "So doubly loved of ladies, unlike fair,

unlike > differently [each is fair in her own way]

2 The one seeming such, the other such indeed, 3 One day in doubt I cast to compare

cast > decided, resolved

4 Whether in beauty's glory did exceed;

Whether > Which of the two

5 A rosy garland was the victor's meed:

meed > reward

6 Both seemed to win, and both seemed won to be,

won > defeated

7 So hard the discord was to be agreed. 8 Fraelissa was as fair as fair might be,

Fraelissa > "Frailty" (Italian)

9 And ever false Duessa seemed as fair as she.

ever false > (The pointing might be "ever, false" or "ever-false"; both meanings are probably intended. Cf. 304.54:9)

102.38

The wicked witch now seeing all this while
2 The doubtfull ballaunce equally to sway,
What not by right, she cast to win by guile,
4 And by her hellish science raisd streight way
A foggy mist, that ouercast the day,
6 And a dull blast, that breathing on her face,
Dimmed her former beauties shining ray,
8 And with foule vgly forme did her disgrace:
Then was she faire alone, when none was faire in place.

1 "The wicked witch, now seeing all this while 2 The doubtful balance equally to sway,

doubtful > uncertain; also: fearful; to be feared

3 What not by right, she cast to win by guile,

cast > resolved

4 And by her hellish science raised straightway

science > knowledge, lore

5 A foggy mist that overcast the day, 6 And a dull blast that, breathing on her face,

dull > obscuring, gloomy blast > {Wind, blighting wind, breath of a malignant power} her > [Fraelissa's]

7 Dimmed her former beauty's shining ray, 8 And with foul ugly form did her disgrace:

disgrace > disfigure, disgrace

9 Then was she fair alone, when none was fair in place.

she > [Duessa] in place > in her place; or: there (thus casting doubt on the reality of her beauty)

102.39

Then cride she out, +fye+, fye, deformed wight,
2 Whose borrowed beautie now appeareth plaine
To haue before bewitched all mens sight;
4 O leaue her soone, or let her soone be slaine.
Her loathly visage viewing with disdaine,
6 Eftsoones I thought her such, as she me told,
And would haue kild her; but with faigned paine,
8 The false witch did my wrathfull hand with-hold;
So left her, where she now is turnd to treen mould.

1 fye > Fye 1609

1 "Then cried she out, `Fie, fie, deformed wight,

Fie > (Addressing Fraelissa) wight > creature

2 Whose borrowed beauty now appears plain 3 To have before bewitched all men's sight; 4 O leave her soon, or let her soon be slain.'

O > (Addressing Fradubio) soon > immediately

5 Her loathly visage viewing with disdain,

loathly > loathsome, disgusting

6 Eftsoons I thought her such as she me told,

Eftsoons > Forthwith such > [to be such] she me told > [Duessa had informed me]

7 And would have killed her; but with feigned pain

pain > pains; effort

8 The false witch did my wrathful hand withhold; 9 So left her, where she now is turned to treen mould.

treen > (Here pronounced as two syllables: made of "tree", tree- like) mould > shape, form

102.40

+Thens+ forth I tooke Duessa for my Dame,
2 And in the witch vnweeting ioyd long time,
Ne euer wist, but that she was the same,
4 Till on a day (that day is euery Prime,
When Witches wont do penance for their crime)
6 I chaunst to see her in her proper hew,
Bathing her selfe in origane and thyme:
8 A filthy foule old woman I did vew,
That euer to haue toucht her, I did deadly rew.

1 Thens > Then 1590, 1596: FE

1 "Thenceforth I took Duessa for my dame, 2 And in the witch unweeting joyed long time,

unweeting > unwittingly

3 Nor ever wist that she was the same,

wist > knew, guessed the same >

4 Till on a day (that day is every prime,

prime > {First day of the new moon; or, perhaps: springtime}

5 When witches wont do penance for their crime)

wont > are accustomed to crime > wrongdoing, sins

6 I chanced to see her in her proper hue,

hue > appearance

7 Bathing herself in origan and thyme: