CANTO III
Merlin bewrayes to Britomart,
2 the state of +Artegall+.
And shewes the famous Progeny
4 which from them springen shall.
2 Artegall > Arthegall 1590
1 Merlin bewrays to Britomart
bewrays > reveals
2 the state of Artegall,
state > {Condition or state in life; marital status}
3 And shows the famous progeny 4 which from them spring shall.
303.1
+MOst+ sacred fire, that burnest mightily
2 In liuing brests, ykindled first aboue,
Emongst th'eternall spheres and lamping sky,
4 And thence pourd into men, which men call Loue;
Not that same, which doth base affections moue
6 In brutish minds, and filthy lust inflame,
But that sweet fit, that doth true beautie loue,
8 And choseth vertue for his dearest Dame,
Whence spring all noble deeds and neuer dying fame:
1 MOst > OH 1609
1 Most sacred fire, that burn mightily 2 In living breasts, kindled first above, 3 Amongst the eternal spheres and lamping sky,
lamping > flashing; resplendent
4 And thence poured into men, which men call Love; 5 Not that same, which does base affections move
affections > emotions (esp. strong emotions, as passion, lust, etc.) move > actuate, excite
6 In brutish minds, and filthy lust inflame, 7 But that sweet fit that does true beauty love, 8 And chooses virtue for his dearest dame, 9 Whence spring all noble deeds and never-dying fame:
303.2
Well did Antiquitie a God thee deeme,
2 That ouer mortall minds hast so great might,
To order them, as best to thee doth seeme,
4 And all their actions to direct aright;
The fatall purpose of diuine foresight,
6 Thou doest effect in destined descents,
Through deepe impression of thy secret might,
8 And stirredst vp th'Heroes high intents,
Which the late world admyres for wondrous moniments.
1 Well did antiquity a god you deem,
antiquity > ancient times (esp. of the Greeks and Romans); ancient records
2 That over mortal minds have so great might,
so > such
3 To order them as best to you does seem, 4 And all their actions to direct aright; 5 The fatal purpose of divine foresight
fatal > preordained, predestined
6 You do effect in destined descents,
descents > {Lineages, lines of family descent}
7 Through deep impression of your secret might, 8 And stirred up the heroes' high intents,
intents > endeavours
9 Which the late world admires for wondrous monuments.
late > recent [compared with antiquity] and hence: modern monuments > monuments; also: evidence [of Love's paramountcy]
303.3
But thy +dread+ darts in none doe triumph more,
2 Ne brauer proofe in any, of thy powre
Shew'dst thou, then in this royall Maid of yore,
4 Making her seeke an vnknowne Paramoure,
From the worlds end, through many a bitter stowre:
6 From whose two loynes thou afterwards did rayse
Most famous fruits of matrimoniall bowre,
8 Which through the earth haue spred their liuing prayse,
That fame in trompe of gold eternally displayes.
1 dread > dredd 1590; drad 1609
1 But your dread darts in none do triumph more,
darts > [Cupid's arrows]
2 Nor braver proof in any, of your power
braver > more splendid
3 Showed you, than in this royal maid of yore,
yore > old, olden times
4 Making her seek an unknown paramour, 5 From the world's end, through many a bitter stour:
stour > {Peril, conflict, time of turmoil or distress}
6 From whose two loins you afterwards did raise 7 Most famous fruits of matrimonial bower,
bower > bed-chamber
8 Which through the earth have spread their living praise,
praise > praiseworthiness, virtue; hence: qualities, worth
9 That fame in trump of gold eternally displays.
trump > trumpet; trumpet-note displays > describes; makes manifest, makes a show of; spreads out, hence: blazons forth, broadcasts
303.4
Begin then, {o^} my dearest sacred Dame,
2 Daughter of Ph{oe}bus and of Memorie,
+That+ doest ennoble with immortall name
4 The warlike Worthies, from antiquitie,
In thy great volume of Eternitie:
6 Begin, {o^} Clio, and recount from hence
My glorious Soueraines goodly +auncestrie+,
8 Till that by dew degrees and long +protense+,
Thou haue it lastly brought vnto her Excellence.
3 That > Thou 1590 7 auncestrie > auncestie 1596 8 protense > pretence 1596
1 Begin then, O my dearest sacred dame,
my dearest sacred dame > (Clio, the Muse of history; cf. 100.2:1)
2 Daughter of Phoebus and of Memory,
Phoebus > (The god of music and poetry, who is also sometimes described as the leader of the choir of Muses and is thus called "Musagetes". According to Myth. 4.10, the Muses are the children of Apollo rather than of Jupiter)
3 That do ennoble with immortal name 4 The warlike Worthies, from antiquity,
Worthies > (The nine Worthies comprise (to quote Dryden) "three Jews": Joshua, David, and Judas Maccabeus; "three pagans": Hector, Alexander, and Julius Caesar; and "three Christian knights": Arthur, Charlemagne, and Godfrey of Bouillon. Spenser may also be referring to either or both of the two sets of British worthies: nine privy councillors to William III, including Lord Pembroke; or the Nine Worthies of London (see The Seven Champions of Christendom by Richard Johnson, 1592)) antiquity > ancient times
5 In your great volume of Eternity: 6 Begin, O Clio, and recount from hence 7 My glorious sovereign's goodly ancestry,
goodly > fine, elevated
8 Till, by due degrees and long protension,
protension > extent, duration
9 You have it lastly brought to Her Excellence.
lastly > finally Her Excellence > Her Excellency [Queen Elizabeth]
303.5
Full many wayes within her troubled mind,
2 Old Glauce cast, to cure this Ladies griefe:
Full many waies she sought, but none could find,
4 Nor herbes, nor charmes, nor counsell, that is chiefe
And choisest med'cine for sicke harts reliefe:
6 For thy great care she tooke, and greater feare,
Least that it should her turne to foule repriefe,
8 And sore reproch, when so her father deare
Should of his dearest daughters hard misfortune heare.
1 Full many ways within her troubled mind
Full > Very, exceedingly
2 Old Glauce cast to cure this lady's grief:
cast > deliberated, contrived; resolved, planned grief > pain
3 Full many ways she sought, but none could find, 4 Nor herbs, nor charms, nor counsel (that is chief
Nor > Neither
5 And choicest medicine for sick hearts' relief): 6 For-thy great care she took, and greater fear,
For-thy > Therefore, for this reason
7 Lest it should her turn to foul reproof,
reproof > reproof, scorn; shame, disgrace
8 And sore reproach, whenso her father dear
whenso > whenever her father dear > [King Ryence]
9 Should of his dearest daughter's hard misfortune hear.
303.6
At last she her +auisd+, that he, which made
2 That mirrhour, wherein the sicke Damosell
So straungely vewed her straunge louers shade,
4 To weet, the learned Merlin, well could tell,
Vnder what coast of heauen the man did dwell,
6 And by what meanes his loue might best be wrought:
For though beyond the Africk Ismaell,
8 Or th'Indian Peru he were, she thought
Him forth through infinite endeuour to haue sought.
1 auisd > aduis'd 1609; cf. 402.22:7
1 At last she her advised that he who made
her advised > bethought herself, reflected, recalled
2 That mirror (wherein the sick damsel
mirror > magic glass, crystal ball
3 So strangely viewed her strange lover's shade),
strange > {Foreign, not of this region} shade > spectre
4 To wit, the learned Merlin, well could tell
tell > [relate]
5 Under what coast of heaven the man did dwell,
coast > tract, region
6 And by what means his love might best be wrought: 7 For though beyond the African Ismael,
African Ismael > (The north African territories of the Arabs or of
Mohameddans generally, who were held to be descendants of
Ishmael)
8 Or the Indian Peru he were, she thought
Indian > (America was thought to be India; like "the Africk
Ismael", it was an outpost of the known world. Cf. 200.2:6)
9 Him forth through infinite endeavour to have sought.
303.7
Forthwith themselues disguising both in straunge
2 And base attyre, that none might them bewray,
To Maridunum, that is now by chaunge
4 Of name Cayr-Merdin cald, they tooke their way:
There the wise Merlin whylome wont (they say)
6 To make his wonne, low vnderneath the ground,
In a deepe delue, farre from the vew of day,
8 That of no liuing wight he mote be found,
When so he counseld with his sprights encompast round.
1 Forthwith, themselves disguising both in strange 2 And base attire, that none might them bewray,
that > [so that] bewray > reveal, make known; betray
3 To Maridunum, that is now by change 4 Of name Caer-merdin called, they took their way:
Caer-merdin > (Carmarthen, in Wales; the traditional birthplace of
Merlin)
5 There the wise Merlin whilom wont (they say)
wise > {Sage; skilled in magic arts} whilom > formerly, of old wont > was accustomed they > (The chroniclers, e.g. Geoffrey of Monmouth in HRB 6.17)
6 To make his wone, low underneath the ground,
wone > abode, dwelling-place
7 In a deep delve, far from the view of day,
delve > pit, depression; ?cave (cf. 303.8:3, 207.0:1, 401.20:4)
8 That of no living wight he might be found,
That > [So that] of > by wight > person, creature
9 Whenso he counselled with his sprites encompassed round.
Whenso > Whenever counselled > deliberated; gave advice, took advice
303.8
And if thou euer happen that same way
2 To trauell, goe to see that dreadfull place:
It is an hideous hollow caue (they say)
4 Vnder a rocke that lyes a litle space
From the swift Barry, tombling downe apace,
6 Emongst the woodie hilles of Dyneuowre:
But dare thou not, I charge, in any cace,
8 To enter into that same balefull Bowre,
For fear the cruell Feends should thee vnwares deuowre.
1 And if you ever happen that same way 2 To travel, go to see that dreadful place: 3 It is a hideous hollow cave (they say)
hideous > huge
4 Under a rock that lies a little space 5 From the swift Barry, tumbling down apace,
apace > rapidly
6 Amongst the woody hills of Dynevor: 7 But dare you not, I charge, in any case, 8 To enter into that same baleful bower,
baleful > deadly, miserable bower > chamber
9 For fear the cruel fiends should you unwares devour.
unwares > suddenly; unexpectedly
303.9
But standing high aloft, low lay thine eare,
2 And there such ghastly noise of yron chaines,
And brasen Caudrons thou shalt rombling heare,
4 Which thousand sprights with long enduring paines
Doe tosse, that it will stonne thy feeble braines,
6 And oftentimes great grones, and grieuous stounds,
When too huge toile and labour them constraines:
8 And oftentimes loud strokes, and ringing sounds
From vnder that deepe Rocke most horribly rebounds.
1 But, standing high aloft, low lay your ear, 2 And there such ghastly noise of iron chains
ghastly > {Frightful, evoking terror of the supernatural}
3 And brazen cauldrons you shall rumbling hear 4 (Which thousand sprites with long enduring pains
thousand > 5 Do toss) that it will stun your feeble brains; stun > stun; or: stone: petrify 6 And oftentimes great groans, and grievous stounds, stounds > roars 7 When too huge toil and labour them constrain: constrain > afflict, distress (with implied restriction of liberty) 8 And oftentimes loud strokes, and ringing sounds oftentimes > frequently 9 From under that deep rock most horribly rebound. 303.10 The cause some say is this: A litle while 1 The cause, some say, is this: a little while 2 Before Merlin died, he did intend 3 A brazen wall in compass to compile in compass to compile > to build in a circle 4 About Caer-merdin, and did it commend it > [the project] commend > entrust, commit 5 To these sprites to bring to perfect end. 6 During which work the Lady of the Lake 7 (Whom long he loved) for him in haste did send, 8 Who, thereby forced his workmen to forsake, 9 Them bound, till his return, their labour not to slake. slake > abate, slacken 303.11 In the meane time through that false Ladies traine, 1 In the mean time, through that false lady's train, train > treachery, deceit 2 He was surprised, and buried under bier, surprised > captured unexpectedly, ensnared under bier > under a bier [underground, in a tomb]; or: in a sepulchre ("bier" sometimes taking this meaning by transference) 3 Nor ever to his work returned again: 4 Natheless those fiends may not their work forbear, Natheless > Nevertheless 5 So greatly his commandment they fear, commandment > authority; control 6 But there do toil and travail day and night, 7 Until that brazen wall they up do rear: 8 For Merlin had in magic more insight, 9 Than ever him before or after living wight. wight > man, person 303.12 For he by words could call out of the sky 1 For he by words could call out of the sky 2 Both sun and moon, and make them him obey: 3 The land to sea, and sea to mainland dry, 4 And darksome night he eke could turn to day: eke > also 5 Huge hosts of men he could alone dismay, hosts > armies alone > acting by himself; hence: unaided, single-handedly dismay > defeat 6 And hosts of men of meanest things could frame, frame > make, fashion 7 Whenso him list his enemies to fray: Whenso > Whenever him list > it pleased him, he chose fray > frighten; assault, attack 8 That to this day, for terror of his fame, That > [So that] fame > evil reputation 9 The fiends do quake when any him to them does name. any > anyone 303.13 And sooth, men say that he was not the sonne 1 And sooth, men say that he was not the son sooth > truly, in truth 2 Of mortal sire, or other living wight, sire > father wight > creature 3 But wondrously begotten, and begun begun > brought into being 4 By false illusion of a guileful sprite, sprite > (See HRB 6.18) 5 On a fair lady nun, that whilom hight whilom > formerly, of old hight > was named 6 Matilda, daughter to Pubidius, Matilda > "Might of Battle" (Teutonic); also: "Noble or honourable Lady of Maids" (Camden (1605) noted by Hamilton (1980); this name and that of Pubidius do not occur in HRB) 7 Who was the Lord of Matraval by right, Matraval > (One of the ancient divisions of Wales) 8 And cousin to King Ambrosius: cousin > kinsman 9 Whence he endued was with skill so marvellous. skill > skill; knowledge, science 303.14 They here ariuing, staid a while without, 1 They, here arriving, stayed awhile without, without > outside 2 Nor dared adventure rashly in to wend, adventure > [to] venture, take the chance of 3 But of their first intent gan make new doubt intent > intention, notion gan > did 4 For dread of danger, which it might portend: 5 Until the hardy maid (with love to friend), to > as a 6 First entering, the dreadful mage there found mage > magician 7 Deep busied about work of wondrous end, end > purpose 8 And writing strange characters in the ground, 9 With which the stubborn fiends he to his service bound. stubborn > intractable 303.15 He nought was moued at their entrance bold: 3 to > omitted from 1609 6 let > Let 1609 1 He naught was moved at their entrance bold: 2 For of their coming well he wist afore, wist > knew afore > previously 3 Yet list them bid their business to unfold, list > [he] chose, it pleased [him] 4 As if aught in this world in secret store 5 Were from him hidden, or unknown of yore. yore > old 6 Then Glauce thus: "Let not it you offend, 7 That we thus rashly through your darksome door rashly > suddenly; rashly 8 Unwares have pressed: for either fatal end Unwares > Unexpectedly pressed > {To "press" is to push one's way boldly or impetuously into another's presence, to intrude} fatal > [a] preordained, predestined end > purpose 9 Or other mighty cause us two did hither send." 303.16 He bad tell on; And then she thus began. 1 He bade tell on; and then she thus began: 2 "Now have three moons with borrowed brother's light brother > [the sun] 3 Thrice shined fair, and thrice seemed dim and wan, 4 Sith a sore evil, which this virgin bright Sith > Since sore > grievous (adj.); sore (sb.: see 302.39:6) evil > malady, misfortune (sb.); or, if "sore" is taken as a sb.: evil (adj.) bright > beautiful 5 Torments, and does plunge in doleful plight, 6 First rooting took; but what thing it might be, 7 Or whence it sprang, I cannot read aright: read > declare 8 But this I read, that but if remedy but if > [if no, unless] 9 You her afford, full shortly I her dead shall see." full > very 303.17 Therewith th'Enchaunter softly gan to smyle 1 Therewith the enchanter softly began to smile Therewith > With that; thereupon 2 At her smooth speeches, weeting inly well weeting > knowing, understanding inly > inwardly 3 That she to him dissembled womanish guile, 4 And to her said, "Beldam, by that you tell, Beldam > (Respectful form of address to an elderly woman) that > [that which] 5 More need of leechcraft has your damsel leechcraft > medicine, medical science 6 Than of my skill: who help may have elsewhere, skill > skill; knowledge, science, occult powers who > [he who, whoever] 7 In vain seeks wonders out of magic spell." 8 The old woman waxed half blank, those words to hear; waxed > grew blank > nonplussed; white, pale 9 And yet was loath to let her purpose plain appear. 303.18 And to him said, If any leaches skill, 1 And to him said, "If any leech's skill leech's > doctor's skill > skill; knowledge, science 2 Or other learned means could have redressed redressed > remedied 3 This my dear daughter's deep engrafted ill, daughter > {Girl, maiden; also a term of affectionate address used by any older person to a girl or young woman} engrafted > implanted, firmly inset (as 302.17:5) ill > malady 4 Certes I should be loath you to molest: Certes > Assuredly molest > annoy; put to inconvenience 5 But this sad evil, which does her infest, sad > heavy; sad; grievous evil > malady, misfortune 6 Does course of natural cause far exceed, 7 And housed is within her hollow breast, hollow > ?vacant (cf. 302.32:7) 8 That either seems some cursed witch's deed, 9 Or evil sprite, that in her does such torment breed." 303.19 The wisard could no +lenger+ beare her bord, 1 lenger > longer 1609 1 The wizard could no longer bear her board, board > speech, address (from the vb. "to board", to accost, assail, make advances to) 2 But, bursting forth in laughter, to her said: 3 "Glauce, what needs this colourable word, needs > [need is there of] colourable > specious word > speech 4 To cloak the cause that has itself bewrayed? bewrayed > revealed, betrayed 5 Nor you, fair Britomart, thus arrayed, 6 More hidden are, than sun in cloudy veil; 7 Whom your good fortune, having fate obeyed, 8 Has hither brought, for succour to appeal: 9 Which the powers to you are pleased to reveal." 303.20 The doubtfull Mayd, seeing her selfe descryde, 1 The doubtful maid, seeing herself descried, doubtful > fearful, apprehensive descried > made known, revealed, discovered; seen through 2 Was all abashed, and her pure ivory 3 Into a clear carnation sudden dyed; 4 As fair Aurora, rising hastily, 5 Does by her blushing tell that she did lie 6 All night in old Tithonus' frozen bed, 7 Whereof she seems ashamed inwardly. 8 But her old nurse was naught disheartened, 9 But vantage made of that which Merlin had aread. vantage > advantage aread > divined; declared 303.21 And sayd, Sith then thou knowest all our griefe, 8 dore, > dore. 1596 1 And said, "Sith then you know all our grief Sith > Since grief > suffering, pain 2 (For what do not you know?), of grace I pray, of grace > as a favour 3 Pity our plaint, and yield us meet relief." plaint > {Lamentation, complaint; statement of grievance made in seeking redress} meet > fitting 4 With that the prophet still awhile did stay, still awhile did stay > (Two interpretations are possible: (1) "motionless (or quiet) awhile did remain"; (2) "yet awhile did hold back" [delay putting them out of their misery]) 5 And then his spirit thus gan forth display: gan > did display > unfold, expound 6 "Most noble virgin, that by fatal lore fatal lore > predestined command; preordained doctrine 7 Has learned to love, let no whit you dismay 8 The hard beginning that meets you in the door, in the door > [at the outset] 9 And with sharp fits your tender heart oppresses sore. 303.22 For so must all things excellent begin, 9 Greeke > Greece 1596, 1609 1 "For so must all things excellent begin, 2 And eke enrooted deep must be that tree eke > also, moreover 3 Whose big embodied branches shall not lin embodied > {Consisting of human bodies; it is the family tree whose scion will be Elizabeth} lin > cease, desist (see 210.2:5) 4 Till they to heaven's height forth stretched be. 5 For from your womb a famous progeny 6 Shall spring, out of the ancient Trojan blood, Trojan > (See 210.9:6 ff., 309.38 ff.) 7 Which shall revive the sleeping memory 8 Of those same antique peers, the heavens' brood, antique > ancient peers > nobles brood > offspring; race 9 Which Greek and Asian rivers stained with their blood. 303.23 Renowmed kings, and sacred Emperours, 1 "Renowned kings, and sacred emperors, sacred > {Commonly used (-1590) as an epithet of royalty; also, here, specifically because Britomart's lineage can be traced back to Aeneas, whose father, Anchises, was a mortal, and whose mother, Venus, was a goddess} 2 Your fruitful offspring, shall from you descend; 3 Brave captains, and most mighty warriors, 4 That shall their conquests through all lands extend 5 And their decayed kingdoms shall amend: amend > repair, restore 6 The feeble Britons, broken with long war, 7 They shall uprear, and mightily defend 8 Against their foreign foe, that comes from far, their foreign foe > [the Spanish; or Roman Catholics in general] 9 Till universal peace compound all civil jar. compound > settle jar > discord 303.24 It was not, Britomart, thy wandring eye, 1 "It was not, Britomart, your wandering eye, 2 Glancing unwares in charmed looking-glass, unwares > unwittingly looking-glass > magic glass, crystal ball 3 But the straight course of heavenly destiny, straight > straight; or: strait: strict, narrow, confining 4 Led with eternal providence, that has 5 Guided your glance, to bring His will to pass: 6 Nor is your fate, nor is your fortune ill, ill > bad, evil 7 To love the prowest knight that ever was. prowest > bravest 8 Therefore submit your ways to His will, His > (Or: his, meaning Artegall's) 9 And do by all due means your destiny fulfil." 303.25 But read (said Glauce) thou Magitian 1 "But read," said Glauce, "you magician, read > make known, declare 2 What means shall she out seek, or what ways take? out seek > [seek out] 3 How shall she know, how shall she find the man? 4 Or what needs her to toil, sith fates can make what needs > [why is it necessary for] sith > since 5 Way for themselves, their purpose to partake?" partake > ?accomplish (this sense not in OED) 6 Then Merlin thus: "Indeed the fates are firm, 7 And may not shrink, though all the world do shake: shrink > {Shrink back with fear; cf. 107.45:7, 212.29:7} 8 Yet ought men's good endeavours them confirm, 9 And guide the heavenly causes to their constant term. constant > fixed term > object, end 303.26 The man whom heauens haue ordaynd to bee 1 "The man whom heavens have ordained to be heavens > [the heavens] 2 The spouse of Britomart is Artegall: 3 He wons in the land of Faery, wons > lives 4 Yet is no Faery born, nor sib at all sib > kinsman 5 To Elves, but sprung of seed terrestrial, seed terrestrial > earthly offspring, mortals 6 And whilom by false Faeries stolen away, whilom > formerly, of old 7 While yet in infant cradle he did crawl; 8 Ne other to himself is known this day, Ne other > (Nor any other [version of events]; cf. 110.65-6) 9 But that he by an Elf was gotten of a fay. gotten > begotten fay > fairy, Faery 303.27 But sooth he is the sonne of Gorlois, 1 "But sooth he is the son of Gorlois, sooth > in truth 2 And brother to Cador, Cornish king, Cador > (According to HRB (9.1, 9.5), Cador helped Arthur in defeating the Saxons) 3 And for his warlike feats renowned is, 4 From where the day out of the sea does spring, 5 Until the closure of the evening. closure > conclusion (i.e. he is renowned from east to west) 6 From thence, him firmly bound with faithful bond, thence > [Faery Land] faithful bond > 7 To this his native soil you back shall bring, 8 Strongly to aid his country, to withstand 9 The power of foreign paynims, which invade your land. paynims > pagans, heathens 303.28 Great aid thereto his mighty puissaunce, 1 "Great aid thereto his mighty puissance thereto > in that purpose puissance > power, strength 2 And dreaded name shall give in that sad day: 3 Where also proof of your prow valiance prow > doughty 4 You then shall make, to increase your lover's prey. prey > plunder, spoils 5 Long time you both in arms shall bear great sway, arms > {Feats of arms} 6 Till your womb's burden you from them do call, them > ["armes">[ 7 And his last fate him from you take away, last fate > [death] 8 Too rathe cut off by practice criminal Too rathe > Too soon, before his natural time practice > conspiracy, collusion; treachery 9 Of secret foes, that him shall make in mischief fall. mischief > disaster; evil 303.29 +With+ thee yet shall he leaue for memory 1 With > Where 1596, 1609 1 "With you yet shall he leave, for memory for memory > as a memorial 2 Of his late puissance, his image dead, puissance > power, strength his image dead > [the image of his dead self] 3 That, living, him in all activity 4 To you shall represent. He from the head represent > bring clearly to mind; re-present, present again He > (Presumably, Aurelius Conan) 5 Of his cousin Constantine without dread cousin > relative; hence: uncle Constantine > (Cador's son; he succeeded Arthur, but was soon killed by his nephew, Aurelius Conan. See HRB 11.2, 11.4) 6 Shall take the crown that was his father's right, 7 And therewith crown himself in the other's stead: therewith > with that stead > place 8 Then shall he issue forth with dreadful might, 9 Against his Saxon foes in bloody field to fight. Saxon > (First mentioned by Ptolemy in the 2nd century, the Saxons were originally inhabitants of the lower Elbe Valley. They were a warlike people who spread mainly to the south and west; they landed in Britain in 449. By the end of the sixth century they had conquered most of NW Europe. With the Angles and the Jutes they established the beginnings of Anglo-Saxon culture in England) field > battle; field of battle 303.30 Like as a Lyon, that in drowsie caue 1 "Like a lion that in drowsy cave 2 Has long time slept, himself so shall he shake, 3 And, coming forth, shall spread his banner brave brave > splendid; brave 4 Over the troubled south, that it shall make that > [so that] 5 The warlike Mercians for fear to quake: Mercians > (Mercia was an ancient kingdom of central southern 6 Thrice shall he fight with them, and twice shall win, 7 But the third time shall fair accordance make: accordance > harmony; agreement 8 And if he then with victory can lin, lin > desist [from fighting] 9 He shall his days with peace bring to his earthly inn. 303.31 His sonne, hight Vortipore, shall him succeede 1 "His son, hight Vortipore, shall him succeed hight > named 2 In kingdom, but not in felicity; In kingdom > [As king] 3 Yet shall he long time war with happy speed, happy > fortunate speed > success, profit 4 And with great honour many battles try: try > undergo, experience; attempt 5 But at the last to the importunity 6 Of froward fortune shall be forced to yield. froward > perverse; adverse; evilly disposed 7 But his son Malgo shall full mightily full > very, exceedingly 8 Avenge his father's loss, with spear and shield, 9 And his proud foes discomfit in victorious field. field > battle; field of battle 303.32 Behold the man, and tell me Britomart, 1 "Behold the man, and tell me, Britomart, the man > [Malgo; Spenser diplomatically ignores his sexual habits] 2 If ay more goodly creature you did see; ay > ever goodly > handsome 3 How like a giant in each manly part 4 Bears he himself with portly majesty, portly > stately, magnificent; dignified, imposing 5 That one of the old heroes seems to be: That > [So that] seems > [he seems] 6 He the Six Islands, comprovincial the Six Islands > (Ireland, Iceland, Gotland, the Orkneys, Norway, Denmark) comprovincial > {Belonging to the same province} 7 In ancient times to Great Britain, 8 Shall to the same reduce, and to him call reduce > bring back (Latin reducere) 9 Their sundry kings to do their homage several. several > [individual, different; variously] 303.33 All which his sonne Careticus awhile 3 vnknowne > vnkowne 1596 1 "All which his son Careticus awhile 2 Shall well defend, and Saxons' power suppress, 3 Until a stranger king from unknown soil stranger > foreign 4 Arriving, him with multitude oppress;
2 Before that Merlin dyde, he did intend,
A brasen wall in compas to compile
4 About Cairmardin, and did it commend
Vnto these Sprights, to bring to perfect end.
6 During which worke the Ladie of the Lake,
Whom long he lou'd, for him in hast did send,
8 Who thereby forst his workemen to forsake,
Them bound till his returne, their labour not to slake.
2 He was surprisd, and buried vnder beare,
Ne euer to his worke returnd againe:
4 Nath'lesse those feends may not their worke forbeare,
So greatly his commaundement they feare,
6 But there doe toyle and trauell day and night,
Vntill that brasen wall they vp doe reare:
8 For Merlin had in Magicke more insight,
Then euer him before or after liuing wight.
2 Both Sunne and Moone, and make them him obay:
The land to sea, and sea to maineland dry,
4 And darkesome night he eke could turne to day:
Huge hostes of men he could alone dismay,
6 And hostes of men of meanest things could frame,
When so him list his enimies to fray:
8 That to this day for terror of his fame,
The feends do quake, when any him to them does name.
2 Of mortall Syre, or other liuing wight,
But wondrously begotten, and begonne
4 By false illusion of a guilefull Spright,
On a faire Ladie Nonne, that whilome hight
6 Matilda, daughter to Pubidius,
Who was the Lord of Mathrauall by right,
8 And coosen vnto king Ambrosius:
Whence he indued was with skill so maruellous.
2 Ne durst aduenture rashly in to wend,
But of their first intent gan make new dout
4 For dread of daunger, which it might portend:
Vntill the hardie Mayd (with loue to frend)
6 First entering, the dreadfull Mage there found
Deepe busied bout worke of wondrous end,
8 And writing strange characters in the ground,
With which the stubborn feends he to his seruice bound.
2 For of their comming well he wist afore,
Yet list them bid their businesse +to+ vnfold,
4 As if ought in this world in secret store
Were from him hidden, or vnknowne of yore.
6 Then Glauce thus, +let+ not it thee offend,
That we thus rashly through thy darkesome dore,
8 Vnwares haue prest: for either fatall end,
Or other mightie cause vs two did hither send.
2 Now haue three Moones with borrow'd brothers light,
Thrice shined faire, and thrice seem'd dim and wan,
4 Sith a sore euill, which this virgin bright
Tormenteth, and doth plonge in dolefull plight,
6 First rooting tooke; but what thing it mote bee,
Or whence it sprong, I cannot read aright:
8 But this I read, that but if remedee,
Thou her afford, full shortly I her dead shall see.
2 At her smooth speeches, weeting inly well,
That she to him dissembled womanish guyle,
4 And to her said, Beldame, by that ye tell,
More need of leach-craft hath your Damozell,
6 Then of my skill: who helpe may haue elsewhere,
In vaine seekes wonders out of Magicke spell.
8 Th'old woman wox half blanck, those words to heare;
And yet was loth to let her purpose plaine appeare.
2 Or other learned meanes could haue redrest
This my deare daughters deepe engraffed ill,
4 Certes I should be loth thee to molest:
But this sad euill, which doth her infest,
6 Doth course of naturall cause farre exceed,
And housed is within her hollow brest,
8 That either seemes some cursed witches deed,
Or euill spright, that in her doth such torment breed.
2 But brusting forth in laughter, to her sayd;
Glauce, what needs this colourable word,
4 To cloke the cause, that hath it selfe bewrayd?
Ne ye faire Britomartis, thus arayd,
6 More hidden are, then Sunne in cloudy vele;
Whom thy good fortune, hauing fate obayd,
8 Hath hither brought, for succour to appele:
The which the powres to thee are pleased to reuele.
2 Was all abasht, and her pure yuory
Into a cleare Carnation suddeine dyde;
4 As faire Aurora rising hastily,
Doth by her blushing tell, that she did lye
6 All night in old Tithonus frosen bed,
Whereof she seemes ashamed inwardly.
8 But her old Nourse was nought dishartened,
But vauntage made of that, which Merlin had ared.
2 (For what doest not thou know?) of grace I pray,
Pitty our plaint, and yield vs meet reliefe.
4 With that the Prophet still awhile did stay,
And then his spirite thus gan forth display;
6 Most noble Virgin, that by fatall lore
Hast learn'd to loue, let no whit thee dismay
8 The hard begin, that meets thee in the +dore,+
And with sharpe fits thy tender hart oppresseth sore.
2 And eke enrooted deepe must be that Tree,
Whose big embodied braunches shall not lin,
4 Till they to heauens hight forth stretched bee.
For from thy wombe a famous Progenie
6 Shall spring, out of the auncient Troian blood,
Which shall reuiue the sleeping memorie
8 Of those same antique Peres, the heauens brood,
Which +Greeke+ and Asian riuers stained with their blood.
2 Thy fruitfull Ofspring, shall from thee descend;
Braue Captaines, and most mighty warriours,
4 That shall their conquests through all lands extend,
And their decayed kingdomes shall amend:
6 The feeble Britons, broken with long warre,
They shall vpreare, and mightily defend
8 Against their forrein foe, that comes from farre,
Till vniuersall peace compound all ciuill iarre.
2 Glauncing vnwares in charmed looking glas,
But the streight course of heauenly destiny,
4 Led with eternall prouidence, that has
Guided thy glaunce, to bring his will to pas:
6 Ne is thy fate, ne is thy fortune ill,
To loue the prowest knight, that euer was.
8 Therefore submit thy wayes vnto his will,
And do by all dew meanes thy destiny fulfill.
2 What meanes shall she out seeke, or what wayes take?
How shall she know, how shall she find the man?
4 Or what needs her to toyle, sith fates can make
Way for themselues, their purpose to partake?
6 Then Merlin thus; Indeed the fates are firme,
And may not shrinck, though all the world do shake:
8 Yet ought mens good endeuours them confirme,
And guide the heauenly causes to their constant terme.
2 The spouse of Britomart, is Arthegall:
He wonneth in the land of Fayeree,
4 Yet is no Fary borne, ne sib at all
To Elfes, but sprong of seed terrestriall,
6 And whilome by false Faries stolne away,
Whiles yet in infant cradle he did crall;
8 Ne other to himselfe is knowne this day,
But that he by an Elfe was gotten of a Fay.
2 And brother vnto Cador Cornish king,
And for his warlike feates renowmed is,
4 From where the day out of the sea doth spring,
Vntill the closure of the Euening.
6 From thence, him firmely bound with faithfull band,
To this his natiue soyle thou backe shalt bring,
8 Strongly to aide his countrey, to withstand
The powre of forrein Paynims, which inuade thy land.
Gorlois > (Duke of Tintagel, in Cornwall; husband of the Lady Igerna
who, after his death, married Uther Pendragon, the father of
Arthur)
2 And dreaded name shall giue in that sad day:
Where also proofe of thy prow valiaunce
4 Thou then shalt make, t'increase thy louers pray.
Long time ye both in armes shall beare great sway,
6 Till thy wombes burden thee from them do call,
And his last fate him from thee take away,
8 Too rathe cut off by practise criminall
Of secret foes, that him shall make in mischiefe fall.
2 Of his late puissaunce, his Image dead,
That liuing him in all actiuity
4 To thee shall represent. He from the head
Of his coosin Constantius without dread
6 Shall take the crowne, that was his fathers right,
And therewith crowne himselfe in th'others stead:
8 Then shall he issew forth with dreadfull might,
Against his Saxon foes in bloudy field to fight.
2 Hath long time slept, himselfe so shall he shake,
And comming forth, shall spred his banner braue
4 Ouer the troubled South, that it shall make
The warlike Mertians for feare to quake:
6 Thrise shall he fight with them, and twise shall win,
But the third time shall faire accordaunce make:
8 And if he then with victorie can lin,
He shall his dayes with peace bring to his earthly In.
England)
2 In kingdome, but not in felicity;
Yet shall he long time warre with happy speed,
4 And with great honour many battels try:
But at the last to th'importunity
6 Of froward fortune shall be forst to yield.
But his sonne Malgo shall full mightily
8 Auenge his fathers losse, with speare and shield,
And his proud foes discomfit in victorious field.
2 If ay more goodly creature thou didst see;
How like a Gyaunt in each manly part
4 Beares he himselfe with portly maiestee,
That one of th'old Heroes seemes to bee:
6 He the six Islands, comprouinciall
In auncient times vnto great Britainee,
8 Shall to the same reduce, and to him call
Their sundry kings to do their homage seuerall.
2 Shall well defend, and Saxons powre suppresse,
Vntill a straunger king from +vnknowne+ soyle
4 Arriuing, him with multitude oppresse;
Great Gormond, hauing with huge mightinesse
6 Ireland subdewd, and therein fixt his throne,
Like a swift Otter, fell through emptinesse,
8 Shall ouerswim the sea with many one
Of his Norueyses, to assist the Britons fone.