CANTO II
Babes bloudie hands may not be clensd,
2 the face of golden Meane.
Her sisters two Extremities:
4 striue her to banish cleane.
1 Babe's bloody hands may not be cleansed: 2 the face of golden Mean.
face > {External appearance; face of a place or building (e.g. a castle), esp. that comprehended between the flanked angles of two neighbouring bastions} golden > (See 201.58:1, 202.11:6; 202.15:7, Odes 2.10:5) Mean > Medina (named at 202.14:4)
3 Her sisters, two extremities,
extremities > extreme points, extremenesses
4 strive her to banish clean.
clean > entirely, utterly
202.1
THus when Sir Guyon with his faithfull guide
2 Had with due rites and dolorous lament
The end of their sad Tragedie vptyde,
4 The litle babe vp in his armes he hent;
Who with sweet pleasance and bold blandishment
6 Gan smyle on them, that rather ought to weepe,
As carelesse of his woe, or innocent
8 Of that was doen, that ruth emperced deepe
In that knights heart, and wordes with bitter teares did steepe.
1 Thus when Sir Guyon with his faithful guide 2 Had with due rites and dolorous lament 3 The end of their sad tragedy uptied,
uptied > tied up
4 The little babe up in his arms he hent;
hent > took, held
5 Who, with sweet pleasance and bold blandishment,
pleasance > joy; disposition to please, complaisance blandishment > {Flattery, cajolery; allurement; anything that pleases}
6 Gan smile on them, that rather ought to weep,
Gan > Did
7 As careless of his woe, or innocent
As > [As if]
8 Of that was done, that ruth empierced deep
that > [that which] that > [so that] ruth > pity empierced > penetrated
9 In that knight's heart, and words with bitter tears did steep.
202.2
Ah lucklesse babe, borne vnder cruell starre,
2 And in dead parents balefull ashes bred,
Full litle weenest thou, what sorrowes are
4 Left thee for portion of thy liuelihed,
Poore Orphane in the wide world scattered,
6 As budding braunch rent from the natiue tree,
And throwen forth, till it be withered:
8 Such is the state of men: thus enter wee
Into this life with woe, and end with miseree.
1 "Ah, luckless babe, born under cruel star, 2 And in dead parents' baleful ashes bred,
baleful > unhappy, sorrowful; full of active evil; "bale" also = "funeral pyre", so alluding to the legend of the phoenix
3 Full little ween you what sorrows are
Full > Very, exceedingly ween you > do you imagine
4 Left you for portion of your livelihead;
portion > {Share of an estate left to an heir} livelihead > inheritance; means of living
5 Poor orphan in the wide world scattered, 6 As budding branch rent from the native tree,
As > [Like a] rent > torn native > {Parent; pertaining to one's birthright}
7 And thrown forth, till it be withered: 8 Such is the state of men: thus enter we 9 Into this life with woe, and end with misery."
202.3
Then soft himselfe inclyning on his knee
2 Downe to that well, did in the water weene
(So loue does loath disdainfull nicitee)
4 His guiltie hands from bloudie gore to cleene.
He washt them oft and oft, yet nought they beene
6 For all his washing cleaner. Still he stroue,
Yet still the litle hands were bloudie seene;
8 The which him into great amaz'ment droue,
And into diuerse doubt his wauering wonder cloue.
1 Then soft himself inclining on his knee 2 Down to that well, did in the water ween
well > spring; spring with supernatural powers ween > intend
3 (So love does loathe disdainful nicety)
nicety > scrupulosity, fastidiousness
4 His guilty hands from bloody gore to clean.
His > [The baby's]
5 He washed them oft and oft, yet naught they been
naught > not at all been > [were]
6 (For all his washing) cleaner. Still he strove, 7 Yet still the little hands were bloody seen; 8 Which him into great amazement drove, 9 And into diverse doubt his wavering wonder clove.
diverse > diverse; also: distracting (SUS) clove > cleft, divided
202.4
He wist not whether blot of foule offence
2 Might not be purgd with water nor with bath;
Or that high God, in +lieu+ of innocence,
4 Imprinted had that token of his wrath,
To shew how sore bloudguiltinesse he +hat'th+;
6 Or that the charme and venim, which they druncke,
Their bloud with secret filth infected hath,
8 Being diffused through the senselesse truncke,
That through the great contagion direfull deadly stunck.
3 lieu > loue sugg. Church 5 hat'th > hat'h 1590; cf. 109.31:5
1 He wist not whether blot of foul offence
wist > knew
2 Might not be purged with water nor with bath; 3 Or that high God, in lieu of innocence,
Or > Either in lieu > in place, instead
4 Imprinted had that token of His wrath, 5 To show how sore blood-guiltiness He hates;
sore > severely; seriously; intensely blood-guiltiness > responsibility for bloodshed
6 Or that the charm and venom, which they drank,
venom > poison drank > (Applies literally to the poison and figuratively to the charm)
7 Their blood with secret filth infected has, 8 Being diffused through the senseless trunk,
trunk > {Corpse; body considered apart from its soul}
9 That, through the great contagion, direful deadly stank.
202.5
Whom thus at gaze, the Palmer gan to bord
2 With goodly reason, and thus faire bespake;
Ye bene right +hard+ amated, gratious Lord,
4 And of your ignorance great maruell make,
Whiles cause not well conceiued ye mistake.
6 But know, that secret vertues are infusd
In euery fountaine, and in euery lake,
8 Which who hath skill them rightly to haue chusd,
To proofe of passing wonders hath full often vsd.
3 hard > hart 1590
1 Whom, thus at gaze, the palmer began to board
at gaze > {Gazing in wonder, bewilderment, or perplexity} board > draw near to and address, accost
2 With goodly reason, and thus fair bespoke:
bespoke > spoke
3 "You been right hard amated, gracious lord,
been > [are; have been] amated > daunted, subdued; cast down
4 And of your ignorance great marvel make, 5 While cause not well conceived you mistake.
mistake > imagine erroneously
6 But know that secret virtues are infused
virtues > properties, powers; occult properties
7 In every fountain, and in every lake, 8 Which who has skill them rightly to have chosen,
who has skill > [whoever has the knowledge]
9 To proof of passing wonders has full often used.
proof of > make proof of, prove; hence: demonstrate passing > surpassing full > very
202.6
Of those some were so from their sourse indewd
2 By great Dame Nature, from whose fruitfull pap
Their welheads spring, and are with moisture deawd;
4 Which feedes each liuing plant with liquid sap,
And filles with flowres faire Floraes painted lap:
6 But other some by gift of later grace,
Or by good prayers, or by other hap,
8 Had vertue pourd into their waters bace,
And thenceforth were renowmd, and sought from place to place.
1 "Of those some were so from their source endued 2 By great Dame Nature, from whose fruitful pap
pap > breast
3 Their well-heads spring, and are with moisture dewed; 4 Which feeds each living plant with liquid sap, 5 And fills with flowers fair Flora's painted lap: 6 But other some, by gift of later grace,
other some > [some others]
7 Or by good prayers, or by other hap,
hap > chance, fortune
8 Had virtue poured into their waters base,
virtue > efficacy, power; occult power
9 And thenceforth were renowned, and sought from place to place.
202.7
Such is this well, wrought by occasion straunge,
2 Which to her Nymph befell. Vpon a day,
As she the woods with bow and shafts did raunge,
4 The hartlesse Hind and Robucke to dismay,
Dan Faunus chaunst to meet her by the way,
6 And kindling fire at her faire burning eye,
Inflamed was to follow beauties +chace+,
8 And chaced her, that fast from him did fly;
As Hind from her, so she fled from her enimy.
7 chace > pray sugg. Collier, after a note by Drayton in a copy of the 1611 edition
1 "Such is this well, wrought by occasion strange
well > spring; spring with supernatural powers occasion > incident, juncture of circumstances
2 Which to its nymph befell. Upon a day,
nymph > (Nymphs are the minor female divinities with whom the Greeks peopled all parts of nature: the seas, springs, rivers, grottoes, trees, mountains. The nymph referred to here is one of the naiads, nymphs of fresh water. Many of these presided over springs which were believed to inspire those who drank the water)
3 As she the woods with bow and shafts did range,
shafts > arrows
4 The hartless hind and roebuck to dismay,
hartless > {Timid (heartless); lacking a hart or harts (hart = the adult male deer, esp. Red Deer)} hind > {Adult female deer, esp. Red Deer} dismay > overcome, defeat; hence: hunt, kill
5 Dan Faunus chanced to meet her by the way,
Dan > {Title of honour, as "Master", "Sir"} Faunus > (The Roman god of the woods, half man and half goat, grandson of Saturn; identified with the Greek Pan)
6 And, kindling fire at her fair burning eye, 7 Inflamed was to follow beauty's chase, 8 And chased her, that fast from him did fly;
fly > flee
9 As hind from her, so she fled from her enemy.
202.8
At last when fayling breath began to faint,
2 And saw no meanes to scape, of shame affrayd,
She +set+ her downe to weepe for sore constraint,
4 And to Diana calling lowd for ayde,
Her deare besought, to let her dye a mayd.
6 The goddesse heard, and suddeine where she sate,
Welling out streames of teares, and quite dismayd
8 With stony feare of that rude rustick mate,
Transformd her to a stone from stedfast virgins state.
3 set > sate 1609
1 "At last when failing breath began to faint,
faint > become faint, grow weak; hence: give out
2 And saw no means to scape, of shame afraid,
saw > [she saw] scape > escape
3 She set her down to weep for sore constraint,
her > [herself] constraint > distress
4 And to Diana calling loud for aid, 5 Her dear besought to let her die a maid.
dear > earnestly
6 The goddess heard, and suddenly, where she sat 7 (Welling out streams of tears, and quite dismayed 8 With stony fear of that rude rustic mate), 9 Transformed her to a stone from steadfast virgin's state.
202.9
Lo now she is that stone, from +whose+ two heads,
2 As from two weeping eyes, fresh streames do flow,
Yet cold through feare, and old conceiued dreads;
4 And yet the stone her semblance seemes to show,
Shapt like a maid, that such ye may her know;
6 And yet her vertues in her water byde:
For it is chast and pure, as purest snow,
8 Ne lets her waues with any filth +be+ dyde,
But euer like her selfe vnstained hath beene tryde.
1 whose > those 1596, 1609 8 be > he 1596
1 "Lo now she is that stone, from whose two heads, 2 As from two weeping eyes, fresh streams do flow, 3 Yet cold through fear, and old conceived dreads;
Yet > Still
4 And yet the stone her semblance seems to show, 5 Shaped like a maid, that such you may her know;
such > [as such]
6 And yet her virtues in her water bide:
virtues > (Playing on both meanings: "virtues" in the modern sense, and "virtues" as at 202.5:6) bide > remain; remain unchanged
7 For it is chaste and pure, as purest snow, 8 Nor lets her waves with any filth be dyed, 9 But ever like herself, unstained, has been tried.
tried > shown to be
202.10
From thence it comes, that this babes bloudy hand
2 May not be clensd with water of this well:
Ne certes Sir striue you it to withstand,
4 But let them still be bloudy, as befell,
That they his mothers innocence may tell,
6 As she bequeathd in her last testament;
That as a sacred Symbole it may dwell
8 In her sonnes flesh, to minde reuengement,
And be for all chast Dames an endlesse moniment.
1 "From thence it comes that this babe's bloody hand 2 May not be cleansed with water of this well:
well > spring; spring with supernatural powers
3 Neither certes sir, strive you it to withstand,
certes > assuredly
4 But let them still be bloody, as befell,
still > always befell > [it befell]
5 That they his mother's innocence may tell,
That > [So that]
6 As she bequeathed in her last testament; 7 That as a sacred symbol it may dwell
That > [So that] dwell > remain
8 In her son's flesh, to mind revengement,
In > On; in (cf. Rom. 7.20) mind > bring to mind revengement > revenge, retribution; punishment
9 And be for all chaste dames an endless monument."
202.11
He hearkned to his reason, and the childe
2 Vptaking, to the Palmer gaue to beare;
But his sad fathers armes with bloud defilde,
4 An heauie load himselfe did lightly reare,
And turning to that place, in which whyleare
6 He left his loftie steed with golden sell,
And goodly gorgeous barbes, him found not theare.
8 By other accident that earst befell,
He is conuaide, but how or where, here fits not tell.
1 He hearkened to his reason, and the child 2 Uptaking, to the palmer gave to bear; 3 But his sad father's arms, with blood defiled,
arms > {Weapons, shield and armour}
4 A heavy load, himself did lightly rear,
lightly > easily
5 And turning to that place, in which whilere
turning > returning whilere > erewhile: lately
6 He left his lofty steed with golden sell,
sell > saddle
7 And goodly gorgeous bards, him found not there.
bards > horse-armour
8 By other accident that erst befell,
other > [another] accident > unforeseen event, chance erst > recently
9 He is conveyed, but how or where, here fits not tell.
conveyed > removed in an underhand manner (described at 203.4) tell > [to tell]
202.12
Which when Sir Guyon saw, all were he wroth,
2 Yet algates mote he soft himselfe appease,
And fairely fare on foot, how euer loth;
4 His double burden did him sore disease.
So long they traueiled with litle ease,
6 Till that at last they to a Castle came,
Built on a rocke adioyning to the +seas,+
8 It was an auncient worke of antique fame,
And wondrous strong by nature, and by skilfull frame.
7 seas, > seas: 1609
1 Which when Sir Guyon saw, all were he wroth,
all were he wroth > [although he was angry]
2 Yet algates might he soft himself appease,
algates > after all; at any rate
3 And fairly fare on foot, however loath; 4 His double burden did him sore disease.
disease > dis-ease: discomfort, distress
5 So long they travelled with little ease, 6 Till at last they to a castle came, 7 Built on a rock adjoining the sea; 8 It was an ancient work of antique fame, 9 And wondrous strong by nature, and by skilful frame.
frame > construction; architectural intent
202.13
Therein three sisters dwelt of sundry sort,
2 The children of one sire by mothers three;
Who dying whylome did diuide this fort
4 To them by equall shares in equall fee:
But +strifull+ minde, and diuerse qualitee
6 Drew them in parts, and each made others foe:
Still they did striue, and dayly disagree;
8 The eldest did against the youngest goe,
And both against the middest meant to worken woe.
5 strifull > strifefull 1609
1 Therein three sisters dwelt of sundry sort,
sundry > different; distinct
2 The children of one sire by mothers three;
sire > father
3 Who, dying whilom, did divide this fort
whilom > at some past time; a while ago (the intended pointing might also be "Who, dying, whylome did diuide …") divide > {Separate into parts and distribute}
4 To them by equal shares in equal fee:
fee > {Estate of inheritance held in land}
5 But strifeful mind and diverse quality
quality > disposition, character
6 Drew them in parts, and each made others' foe:
in parts > into factions ("part" is cognate with "party", = prin- cipal in legal proceeding) others' > [the others'; or: the other's, in view of lines 7-9]
7 Still they did strive, and daily disagree;
Still > Always, ever
8 The eldest did against the youngest go, 9 And both against the middest meant to work woe.
middest > midmost, middle [sister]
202.14
Where when the knight arriu'd, he was right well
2 Receiu'd, as knight of so much worth became,
Of second sister, who did far excell
4 The other two; Medina was her name,
A sober sad, and comely curteous Dame;
6 Who rich arayd, and yet in modest guize,
In goodly garments, that her well became,
8 Faire marching forth in honorable wize,
Him at the threshold met, and well did enterprize.
1 Where when the knight arrived, he was right well
right > very
2 Received, as knight of so much worth became,
became > fitted, suited
3 Of second sister, who did far excel
Of > [By the]
4 The other two; Medina was her name,
Medina > "Mean", "Central" (Latin medius, middle); hence:
"Temperate"
5 A sober, sad, and comely courteous dame;
sad > grave, serious comely > decorous, decent
6 Who (rich arrayed, and yet in modest guise,
guise > appearance; demeanour; behaviour
7 In goodly garments, that her well became), 8 Fair marching forth in honourable wise,
wise > manner
9 Him at the threshold met, and well did enterprise.
enterprise > undertake, take in hand; hence: welcome, entertain
202.15
She led him vp into a goodly bowre,
2 And comely courted with meet modestie,
Ne in her speach, ne in her hauiour,
4 Was lightnesse seene, or looser vanitie,
But gratious womanhood, and grauitie,
6 Aboue the reason of her youthly yeares:
Her golden lockes she roundly did vptye
8 In +breaded+ tramels, that no looser heares
Did out of order stray about her daintie eares.
8 breaded > brayded 1609
1 She led him up into a goodly bower,
bower > room, chamber
2 And comely courted with meet modesty;
comely > decorously meet > appropriate, fitting
3 Neither in her speech, nor in her haviour,
haviour > deportment, bearing; behaviour
4 Was lightness seen, or looser vanity,
looser > too-loose; loose
5 But gracious womanhood, and gravity, 6 Above the reason of her youthly years:
Above the reason of > [Beyond those to be expected from one of]
7 Her golden locks she roundly did uptie
roundly > completely; severely uptie > tie up, bind
8 In braided trammels, that no looser hairs
trammels > constraints, restraints (her hair is held in place by braids rather than a snood or net) that > [so that] looser > too-loose; loose
9 Did out of order stray about her dainty ears.
202.16
Whilest she her selfe thus busily did frame,
2 Seemely to entertaine her new-come guest,
Newes hereof to her other sisters came,
4 Who all this while were at their wanton rest,
Accourting each her friend with lauish fest:
6 They were two knights of perelesse puissance,
And famous far abroad for warlike gest,
8 Which to these Ladies loue did countenaunce,
And to his mistresse each himselfe stroue to aduaunce.
1 Whilst she herself thus busily did frame,
frame > direct, give shape to; hence: proceed
2 Seemly to entertain her new-come guest,
Seemly > Suitably, properly, seemlily
3 News hereof to her other sisters came, 4 Who all this while were at their wanton rest, 5 Accourting each her friend with lavish feast:
Accourting > Courting, entertaining (WU) friend > lover
6 They were two knights of peerless puissance,
puissance > strength, power
7 And famous far abroad for warlike gest,
gest > exploits
8 Who to these ladies love did countenance,
countenance > make a show of; pretend
9 And to his mistress each himself strove to advance.
202.17
He that made loue vnto the eldest Dame,
2 Was hight Sir Huddibras, an hardy man;
Yet not so good of deedes, as great of name,
4 Which he by many rash aduentures wan,
Since errant armes to sew he first began;
6 More huge in strength, then wise in workes he was,
And reason with foole-hardize ouer ran;
8 Sterne melancholy did his courage pas,
And was for terrour more, all armd in shyning bras.
1 He that made love to the eldest dame 2 Was hight Sir Huddibras, a hardy man;
hight > called Huddibras > (A name catalogued by Spenser in his roll of British kings at 210.25:4. Glossed by Roche (1978) as "Rashness"; Hamilton (1980) speculates on "Hardi-bras", "Foolhardiness"; this might also be interpreted as "One Who Chances His Arm". The name "Hudibras" was used by Samuel Butler for his satire of that name published in 1662, but according to the Grub Street Journal (1731), Butler derived the name from that of Hugh de Bras, the patron saint of Cornwall)
3 Yet not so good of deeds, as great of name,
name > reputation, fame
4 Which he by many rash adventures won, 5 Since errant arms to sue he first began;
errant arms > [feats of arms performed by a knight errant] sue > {Pursue, go in quest of; take as a model, pattern, or ideal}
6 More huge in strength than wise in works he was, 7 And reason with foolhardice overran;
foolhardice > foolhardiness
8 Stern melancholy did his courage pass,
Stern > Fierce, grim, harsh melancholy > melancholy, gloom; irascibility pass > surpass, exceed
9 And was, for terror more, all armed in shining brass.
terror more > [greater terror]
202.18
But he that lou'd the youngest, was Sans-loy,
2 He that faire Vna late fowle outraged,
The most vnruly, and the boldest boy,
4 That euer warlike weapons menaged,
And to all lawlesse lust encouraged,
6 Through strong opinion of his matchlesse might:
Ne ought he car'd, whom he endamaged
8 By tortious wrong, or whom bereau'd of right.
He now this Ladies champion chose for loue to fight.
1 But he that loved the youngest was Sansloy 2 (He that fair Una late foul outraged),
late > lately (see 103.43-44, 106.3-8)
3 The most unruly, and the boldest, boy 4 That ever warlike weapons managed,
managed > wielded
5 And to all lawless lust encouraged,
encouraged > [was encouraged]
6 Through strong opinion of his matchless might: 7 Ne aught he cared whom he endamaged
Ne aught > Naught; and naught endamaged > inflicted injury upon; hurt
8 By tortious wrong, or whom bereaved of right.
tortious > injurious; wicked; illegal
9 He now this lady's champian chose for love to fight.
champian > campaign, field of military operations
202.19
These two gay knights, vowd to so diuerse loues,
2 Each other does enuie with deadly hate,
And dayly warre against his foeman moues,
4 In hope to win more fauour with his mate,
And th'others pleasing seruice to abate,
6 To magnifie his owne. But when they heard,
How in that place straunge knight arriued late,
8 Both knights and Ladies forth right angry far'd,
And fiercely vnto battell sterne themselues prepar'd.
1 These two gay knights, vowed to so diverse loves,
gay > fine so diverse > [such different]
2 Each other does envy with deadly hate,
envy > begrudge
3 And daily war against his foeman moves,
foeman > foe, enemy moves > stirs up
4 In hope to win more favour with his mate, 5 And the other's pleasing service to abate, 6 To magnify his own. But when they heard 7 How in that place strange knight arrived late,