CANTO IX
His loues and lignage Arthur +tells:+
2 The knights knit friendly +bands+:
Sir Treuisan flies from Despayre,
4 Whom Redcrosse knight withstands.
1 tells: > tells 1596 2 bands > hands 1590: FE
1 His loves and lineage Arthur tells: 2 The knights knit friendly bands:
bands > bonds (esp. of unity); uniting influences. (See also Textual Appendix: 1590 is supported by 109.1:8, 109.18:9)
3 Sir Trevisan flies from Despair, 4 Whom Redcross Knight withstands.
109.1
O Goodly golden chaine, wherewith yfere
2 The vertues linked are in louely wize:
And noble minds of yore allyed were,
4 In braue poursuit of cheualrous emprize,
That none did others safety despize,
6 Nor aid enuy to him, in need that stands,
But friendly each did others prayse +deuize,+
8 How to aduaunce with fauourable hands,
As this good Prince redeemd the Redcrosse knight from bands.
7 deuize, > deuize 1609
1 O goodly golden chain, wherewith yfere
golden chain > (Of Zeus (Jupiter): see Iliad 8.18-27; see also Knight's Tale, 2990 and Troilus and Criseyde 3.1746-9; and cf. 105.25, 207.46) wherewith yfere > with which together
2 The virtues linked are in lovely wise,
wise > manner, fashion
3 And noble minds of yore allied were
of yore > of old, formerly
4 In brave pursuit of chivalrous emprise:
emprise > undertaking, enterprise
5 That none did other's safety despise,
That > [So that] other's > (Or: "others'") despise > treat as valueless
6 Nor aid envy to him, in need that stands,
envy to > begrudge
7 But friendly each did other's praise devise
praise > praiseworthiness; virtue devise > contrive, scheme
8 How to advance with favourable hands, 9 As this good prince redeemed the Redcross Knight from bonds.
As > [Just as]
109.2
Who when their +powres+ empaird through labour long,
2 With dew repast they had recured well,
And that weake captiue wight now wexed strong,
4 Them list no lenger there at leasure dwell,
But forward fare, as their aduentures fell,
6 But ere they parted, Vna faire besought
That straunger knight his name and nation tell;
8 Least so great good, as he for her had wrought,
Should die vnknown, and buried be in thanklesse thought.
1 powres > powres, 1609
1 Who, when their powers, impaired through labour long, 2 With due repast they had recured well,
recured > recovered
3 And that weak captive wight now waxed strong,
wight > man, person waxed > [had] grown
4 Them list no longer there at leisure dwell,
Them list > It pleased them dwell > [to dwell]
5 But forward fare, as their adventures fell;
fell > befell, should befall
6 But, ere they parted, Una fair besought
Una fair > fair Una; Una fairly (fairly = becomingly, in a fair manner)
7 That stranger knight his name and nation tell:
stranger > foreign; new-come nation > family; country; nationality
8 Lest so great good, as he for her had wrought, 9 Should die unknown, and buried be in thankless thought.
109.3
Faire virgin (said the Prince) ye me require
2 A thing without the compas of my wit:
For both the lignage and the certain Sire,
4 From which I sprong, from me are hidden yit.
For all so soone as life did me admit
6 Into this world, and shewed heauens light,
From mothers pap I taken was vnfit:
8 And streight deliuered to a Faery knight,
To be vpbrought in gentle thewes and martiall might.
1 "Fair virgin," said the prince, "you me require
require > ask
2 A thing without the compass of my wit:
without > outside, beyond
3 For both the lineage and the certain sire
sire > father
4 From which I sprang from me are hidden yet. 5 For, all so soon as life did me admit
all so > just as
6 Into this world, and showed heaven's light, 7 From mother's pap I taken was unfit:
pap > teat
8 And straight delivered to a Faery knight, 9 To be upbrought in gentle thews and martial might.
upbrought > brought up gentle > noble thews > manners, qualities
109.4
Vnto old Timon he me brought byliue,
2 Old Timon, who in youthly yeares hath beene
In warlike feates th'expertest man aliue,
4 And is the wisest now on earth I weene;
His dwelling is low in a valley greene,
6 Vnder the foot of Rauran mossy hore,
From whence the riuer Dee as siluer cleene
8 His tombling billowes rolls with gentle rore:
There all my dayes he traind me vp in vertuous lore.
1 "To old Timon he me brought belive,
Timon > (The Faery knight of 109.3:8. "Timon" is a Greek personal name meaning "he who is honoured", "he who is held in respect". Plainly Arthur is referring here to Sir Ector, to whom (in Malory) his upbringing was entrusted by Merlin) he > [Merlin] belive > without delay
2 Old Timon, who in youthly years has been 3 In warlike feats the expertest man alive, 4 And is the wisest now on earth, I ween;
ween > believe
5 His dwelling is low in a valley green, 6 Under the foot of Rauran mossy hoar,
Rauran > (Given by Bayley (1966) as Rauran-fawr, a hill in Merioneth, Wales, though this name is not in the Ordnance Survey Gazetteer of Great Britain or the Times Index-Gazetteer of the World. See also note in Hamilton (1980)) mossy > overgrown with moss (if referring to the hill); or: marshy, peaty (if referring to the valley) hoar > {Venerable with age; grey; "mossy hoar" might be read as "mossy and hoar"}
7 From whence the River Dee as silver clean
River Dee > (Rises in Bala Lake, Merioneth, Wales, reaching the sea 70 miles east and north at West Kirby)
8 His tumbling billows rolls with gentle roar: 9 There all my days he trained me up in virtuous lore.
lore > doctrine, teaching
109.5
Thither the great Magicien Merlin came,
2 As was his vse, ofttimes to visit me:
For he had charge my discipline to frame,
4 And Tutours nouriture to ouersee.
Him oft and oft I askt in priuitie,
6 Of what loines and what lignage I did spring:
Whose aunswere bad me still assured bee,
8 That I was sonne and heire vnto a king,
As time in her iust terme the truth to light should bring.
1 "Thither the great magician Merlin came, 2 As was his use, often to visit me:
use > custom
3 For he had charge my discipline to frame,
discipline > {Education; mental and moral training}
4 And tutor's nouriture to oversee.
nouriture > {Nurture, the business of bringing up a child}
5 Him oft and oft I asked in privity,
privity > privacy, seclusion
6 Of what loins and what lineage I did spring: 7 Whose answer bade me still assured be
still > continually
8 That I was son and heir to a king, 9 As time in her just term the truth to light should bring."
just > full, proper
109.6
Well worthy impe, said then the Lady gent,
2 And Pupill fit for such a Tutours hand.
But what aduenture, or what high intent
4 Hath brought you hither into Faery land,
Aread Prince Arthur, crowne of Martiall band?
6 Full hard it is (quoth he) to read aright
The course of heauenly cause, or vnderstand
8 The secret meaning of th'eternall might,
That rules mens wayes, and rules the thoughts of liuing wight.
1 "Well worthy imp," said then the lady gent,
imp > child, scion gent > noble, high-born; graceful, elegant
2 "And pupil fit for such a tutor's hand! 3 But what adventure, or what high intent,
adventure > chance occurrence, fortune intent > purpose; desire
4 Has brought you hither into Faery Land, 5 Aread, Prince Arthur, crown of martial band?"
Aread > Make known
6 "Full hard it is," quoth he, "to read aright
Full > Very, exceedingly read > discern; expound
7 The course of heavenly cause, or understand
cause > [divine] intention
8 The secret meaning of the eternal might 9 That rules men's ways, and rules the thoughts of living wight.
wight > mortal, being, person
109.7
For whither he though fatall deepe foresight
2 Me hither sent, for cause to me vnghest,
Or that fresh bleeding wound, which day and night
4 Whilome doth rancle in my riuen brest,
With forced fury following his behest,
6 Me hither brought by wayes yet neuer found,
You to haue helpt I hold my selfe yet blest.
8 Ah curteous knight (quoth she) what secret wound
Could euer find, to grieue the gentlest hart on ground?
1 "For whether He, though fatal deep foresight,
fatal > preordained
2 Me hither sent, for cause to me unguessed, 3 Or that fresh bleeding wound (which day and night
Or > [Or whether]
4 Whilom does rankle in my riven breast),
Whilom > Continually; from the past until the present time
5 With forced fury, following his behest,
his > its (if referring to the wound); or: His (God's)
6 Me hither brought by ways yet never found, 7 You to have helped I hold myself yet blessed." 8 "Ah, courteous knight," quoth she, "what secret wound 9 Could ever find to grieve the gentlest heart on ground?"
find > contrive, devise gentlest > noblest; most gentle on ground > on Earth, in the world
109.8
Dear Dame (quoth he) you sleeping sparkes awake,
2 Which troubled once, into huge flames will grow,
Ne euer will their feruent fury slake,
4 Till liuing moysture into smoke do flow,
And wasted life do lye in ashes low.
6 Yet sithens silence lesseneth not my fire,
But told it flames, and hidden it does glow,
8 I will reuele, what ye so much desire:
Ah Loue, lay downe thy bow, the whiles I may respire.
1 "Dear dame," quoth he, "you sleeping sparks awake, 2 Which, troubled once, into huge flames will grow; 3 Nor ever will their fervent fury slake,
slake > abate
4 Till living moisture into smoke do flow,
living moisture > [the humours comprising the body]
5 And wasted life do lie in ashes low.
wasted > consumed, squandered lie > (With a pun on "lye")
6 Yet sithens silence lessens not my fire,
sithens > since
7 But, told, it flames; and, hidden, it does glow, 8 I will reveal what you so much desire: 9 Ah, Love, lay down your bow, while I may respire!
Love > [Cupid] respire > breathe again, recover breath
109.9
It was in freshest flowre of youthly yeares,
2 When courage first does creepe in manly chest,
Then first +the+ coale of kindly heat appeares
4 To kindle loue in euery liuing brest;
But me had warnd old Timons wise behest,
6 Those creeping flames by reason to subdew,
Before their rage grew to so great vnrest,
8 As miserable louers vse to rew,
Which still wex old in woe, whiles woe still wexeth new.
3 the > that 1590: FE, a lection defended, however, by Church
1 "It was in freshest flower of youthly years, 2 When courage first does creep in manly chest:
courage > lustiness, vigour creep > come on slowly, grow by degrees
3 Then first the coal of kindly heat appears
kindly > natural (cf. 108.11:6)
4 To kindle love in every living breast; 5 But me had warned old Timon's wise behest,
warned > forewarned, put on guard
6 Those creeping flames by reason to subdue 7 Before their rage grew to so great unrest,
so > such
8 As miserable lovers use to rue,
use to > observe as a custom; hence: customarily
9 Who still wax old in woe, while woe still waxes new.
wax > grow
109.10
That idle name of loue, and louers life,
2 As losse of time, and vertues enimy
I euer scornd, and ioyd to stirre vp strife,
4 In middest of their mournfull Tragedy,
Ay wont to laugh, when them I heard to cry,
6 And blow the fire, which them to ashes brent:
Their God himselfe, grieu'd at my libertie,
8 Shot many a dart at me with fiers intent,
But I them warded all with wary gouernment.
1 "That idle name of Love, and lover's life, 2 As loss of time, and virtue's enemy, 3 I ever scorned, and joyed to stir up strife 4 In middest of their mournful tragedy,
middest > [the midmost part of]
5 Ay wont to laugh when them I heard to cry,
Ay > Ever wont > accustomed
6 And blow the fire which them to ashes burnt: 7 Their god himself, grieved at my liberty,
god > [Cupid]
8 Shot many a dart at me with fierce intent, 9 But I them warded all with wary government.
government > conduct, discretion
109.11
But all in vaine: no fort can be so strong,
2 Ne fleshly brest can armed be so sound,
But will at last be wonne with battrie long,
4 Or +vnawares+ at disauantage found;
Nothing is sure, that growes on earthly ground:
6 And who most trustes in arme of fleshly might,
And boasts, in beauties chaine not to be bound,
8 Doth soonest fall in disauentrous fight,
And yeeldes his caytiue neck to victours most despight.
4 vnawares > vnwares 1596
1 "But all in vain: no fort can be so strong, 2 No fleshly breast can armed be so sound, 3 But will at last be won with battery long,
battery > battering; assault with many blows
4 Or unawares at disadvantage found; 5 Nothing is sure that grows on earthly ground: 6 And who most trusts in arm of fleshly might, 7 And boasts in beauty's chain not to be bound, 8 Does soonest fall in disadventurous fight,
disadventurous > unfortunate, disastrous
9 And yields his caitiff neck to victor's most despite.
caitiff > wretched; captive most > greatest despite > scorn, malice, outrage
109.12
Ensample make of him your haplesse ioy,
2 And of my selfe now mated, as ye see;
Whose prouder vaunt that proud auenging boy
4 Did soone pluck downe, and curbd my libertie.
For on a day prickt forth with iollitie
6 Of looser life, and heat of hardiment,
Raunging the forest wide on courser free,
8 The fields, the floods, the heauens with one consent
Did seeme to laugh +on+ me, and fauour mine intent.
9 on > at 1590, 1596: FE
1 "Example make of him, your hapless joy,
him > [the Redcross Knight] joy > [source or object of delight]
2 And of myself now mated, as you see;
mated > overcome, stupefied; also: mated as in chess [by the Faery Queen]
3 Whose prouder vaunt that proud avenging boy
prouder vaunt > too-proud boast that proud avenging boy > [Cupid]
4 Did soon pluck down, and curbed my liberty. 5 For on a day, pricked forth with jollity
pricked forth > spurred on, goaded jollity > pleasure, lust
6 Of looser life, and heat of hardiment,
looser > too-loose; the looser hardiment > hardihood, boldness
7 Ranging the forest wide on courser free, 8 The fields, the floods, the heavens, with one concent
concent > harmony, concord
9 Did seem to laugh on me, and favour my intent.
laugh on > smile on, favour intent > purpose, intention, desire; frame of mind
109.13
For-wearied with my sports, I did alight
2 From loftie steed, and downe to sleepe me layd;
The verdant gras my couch did goodly dight,
4 And pillow was my helmet faire displayd:
Whiles euery sence the humour sweet embayd,
6 And slombring soft my hart did steale away,
Me seemed, by my side a royall Mayd
8 Her daintie limbes full softly down did lay:
So faire a creature yet saw neuer sunny day.
1 "Forwearied with my sports, I did alight
Forwearied > Wearied, exhausted
2 From lofty steed, and down to sleep me laid; 3 The verdant grass my couch did goodly dight,
dight > prepare, arrange; hence: provide
4 And pillow was my helmet fair displayed;
displayed > spread out (presumably his head was resting on the "bunch of haires" mentioned at 107.32:2, and "helmet" should thus be read as "helm" or "crest"; but cf. 304.53:9)
5 While every sense the humour sweet embayed,
humour > dew [of sleep: cf. 101.36:2] embayed > bathed
6 And, slumbering soft, my heart did steal away; 7 Me seemed by my side a royal maid
Me seemed > [It seemed to me that]
8 Her dainty limbs full softly down did lay:
dainty > delightful, comely full > very, exceedingly
9 So fair a creature yet saw never sunny day.
109.14
Most goodly glee and louely blandishment
2 She to me made, and bad me loue her deare,
For dearely sure her loue was to me bent,
4 As when iust time expired should appeare.
But whether dreames delude, or true it were,
6 Was neuer hart so rauisht with delight,
Ne liuing man like words did euer heare,
8 As she to me deliuered all that night;
And at her parting said, She Queene of Faeries hight.
1 "Most goodly glee and lovely blandishment
goodly > gracious, courteous; beautiful glee > {Entertainment; a state of exaltation or joy} lovely > loving blandishment > gentle cajolery, flattery
2 She to me made, and bade me love her dear, 3 For dearly sure her love was to me bent,
to me bent > to me inclined; aimed at me
4 As, when just time expired, should appear.
just > due should > [it should]
5 But whether dreams delude, or true it were, 6 Was never heart so ravished with delight, 7 Nor living man like words did ever hear, 8 As she to me delivered all that night; 9 And at her parting said she `Queen of Faeries' hight.
hight > was called
109.15
When I awoke, and found her place deuoyd,
2 And nought but pressed gras, where she had lyen,
I sorrowed all so much, as earst I ioyd,
4 And washed all her place with watry eyen.
From that day forth I lou'd that face diuine;
6 From that day forth I cast in carefull mind,
To seeke her out with labour, and long tyne,
8 And neuer +vow+ to rest, till her I find,
Nine monethes I seeke in vaine yet ni'll that vow vnbind.
8 vow > vowd 1590
1 "When I awoke, and found her place devoid,
devoid > empty
2 And naught but pressed grass where she had lain, 3 I sorrowed all so much as erst I joyed,
all so > just as erst > previously joyed > [had joyed]
4 And washed all her place with watery eyes. 5 From that day forth I loved that face divine; 6 From that day forth I cast in careful mind,
cast > resolved, decided careful > {Sorrowful, full of cares}
7 To seek her out with labour and long teen,
teen > affliction, trouble
8 And never vow to rest, till her I find: 9 Nine months I seek in vain, yet nill that vow unbind."
nill > will not
109.16
Thus as he spake, his visage wexed pale,
2 And chaunge of hew great passion did bewray;
Yet still he stroue to cloke his inward bale,
4 And hide the smoke, that did his fire display,
Till gentle Vna thus to him gan say;
6 O happy Queene of Faeries, that hast found
Mongst many, one that with his prowesse may
8 Defend thine honour, and thy foes confound:
True Loues are often sown, but seldom grow on ground.
1 Thus as he spoke, his visage waxed pale,
waxed > grew
2 And change of hue great passion did bewray;
hue > colour bewray > betray
3 Yet still he strove to cloak his inward bale,
bale > torment; also, mainly in northern usage: a great consuming fire, pyre, bonfire
4 And hide the smoke that did his fire display, 5 Till gentle Una thus to him gan say:
gentle > courteous; generous gan > did
6 "O happy Queen of Faeries, that has found, 7 Amongst many, one that with his prowess may
prowess > valour
8 Defend your honour, and your foes confound: 9 True loves are often sown, but seldom grow on ground."
109.17
Thine, O then, said the gentle Redcrosse knight,
2 Next to that Ladies loue, shalbe the place,
O fairest virgin, full of heauenly light,
4 Whose wondrous faith, exceeding earthly race,
Was firmest fixt in mine extremest case.
6 And you, my Lord, the Patrone of my life,
Of that great Queene may well gaine worthy grace:
8 For onely worthy you through +prowes+ priefe
Yf liuing man mote worthy be, to be her liefe.
8 prowes > prowesse 1609
1 "Yours, O then," said the gentle Redcross Knight,
gentle > generous, courteous; (to take the meaning of this word as "noble, high-born" would be to anticipate the revelation at 110.65 ff.)
2 "Next to that lady's love, shall be the place, 3 O fairest virgin, full of heavenly light, 4 Whose wondrous faith, exceeding earthly race,
faith > fidelity; faith, loyalty earthly > [that of earthly]
5 Was firmest fixed in my extremest case.
case > plight
6 And you, my lord, the patron of my life,
patron > champion, defender; also: pattern, model (see I:130)
7 Of that great queen may well gain worthy grace:
worthy > deserved
8 For only worthy you through prowess' proof,
prowess' > valour's proof > trial, proof
9 If living man might worthy be to be her lief."
lief > beloved
109.18
So diuersly discoursing of their loues,
2 The golden Sunne his glistring head gan shew,
And sad remembraunce now the Prince amoues,
4 With fresh desire his voyage to pursew:
Als Vna earnd her traueill to renew.
6 Then those two knights, fast friendship for to bynd,
And loue establish each to other trew,
8 Gaue goodly gifts, the signes of gratefull mynd,
And eke +as+ pledges firme, right hands together ioynd.
9 as > the 1596, 1609
1 So diversely discoursing of their loves,
So > Thus
2 The golden sun his glistering head gan show,
gan > did; began to
3 And sad remembrance now the prince moves 4 With fresh desire his voyage to pursue:
voyage > journey
5 Als Una yearned her travel to renew.
Als > As; also (chiefly in northern dialect)
6 Then those two knights, fast friendship to bind,
fast > firm
7 And love establish each to other true, 8 Gave goodly gifts, the signs of grateful mind,
grateful > grateful; also: agreeable, pleasing
9 And eke, as pledges firm, right hands together joined.
eke > also
109.19
Prince Arthur gaue a boxe of Diamond sure,
2 Embowd with gold and gorgeous ornament,
Wherein were closd few drops of liquor pure,
4 Of wondrous worth, and vertue excellent,
That any wound could heale incontinent:
6 Which to requite, the Redcrosse knight him gaue
A booke, wherein his Saueours testament
8 Was writ with golden letters rich and braue;
A worke of wondrous grace, and able soules to saue.
1 Prince Arthur gave a box of diamond sure,
sure > steadfast (if referring to the diamond); secure (if referring to the box)
2 Embowed with gold and gorgeous ornament,
Embowed > Encircled
3 Wherein were closed few drops of liquor pure,