CANTO VI
Guyon is of immodest +Merth,+
2 led into loose desire,
Fights with Cymochles, whiles his bro-
3 ther burnes in furious fire.
1 Merth, > Merth 1609
1 Guyon is of immodest Mirth
of > by immodest > forward, impudent; unchaste (also, the Latin immodestus means "intemperate", "unbridled") Mirth > Phaedria (introduced at 206.3, named at 206.9; an early meaning of "mirth" is "fun", "ridicule")
2 led into loose desire, 3 Fights with Cymochles, while his bro-
Fights > [And fights] his > [Cymochles's (his brother is Pyrochles)]
4 ther burns in furious fire.
206.1
A Harder lesson, to learne Continence
2 In ioyous pleasure, then in grieuous paine:
For sweetnesse doth allure the weaker sence
4 So strongly, that vneathes it can refraine
From that, which feeble nature couets faine;
6 But griefe and wrath, that be her enemies,
And foes of life, she better can +restraine+;
8 Yet vertue vauntes in both +their+ victories,
And Guyon in them all shewes goodly maisteries.
7 restraine > abstaine 1590 8 their > her 1590
1 A harder lesson, to learn continence 2 In joyous pleasure than in grievous pain: 3 For sweetness does allure the weaker sense
weaker > too-weak
4 So strongly, that uneath it can refrain
uneath > with difficulty
5 From that which feeble nature covets fain;
fain > eagerly
6 But grief and wrath (that be her enemies,
be > [are]
7 And foes of life) she better can restrain;
better > [more easily]
8 Yet virtue vaunts in both their victories,
vaunts > displays [itself]; advances [itself, its cause; the last only if "vaunts" is taken to be aphetic for "avaunts">[ both their victories > [the victories of continence over both sweetness and wrath]
9 And Guyon in them all shows goodly mastery.
all > [both]
206.2
Whom bold Cymochles trauelling to find,
2 With cruell purpose bent to wreake on him
The wrath, which Atin kindled in his mind,
4 Came to a riuer, by whose vtmost brim
Wayting to passe, he saw whereas did swim
6 A long the shore, as swift as glaunce of eye,
A litle Gondelay, bedecked trim
8 With boughes and arbours wouen cunningly,
That like a litle forrest seemed outwardly.
1 Whom bold Cymochles travelling to find 2 (With cruel purpose bent to wreak on him 3 The wrath which Atin kindled in his mind), 4 Came to a river, by whose utmost brim,
Came > [Bold Cymochles came; if the words "bold Cymochles" are moved here from line 1 the sense is made clearer]
5 Waiting to pass, he saw where did swim
pass > take passage (across the water)
6 Along the shore, as swift as glance of eye, 7 A little gondola, bedecked trim
trim > beautifully, in good order; neatly, trimly
8 With boughs and arbours woven cunningly,
arbours > {Shrubs, etc. trained on trellis-work; hence: vines, creepers}
9 That like a little forest seemed outwardly.
206.3
And therein sate a Ladie fresh and faire,
2 Making sweet solace to her selfe alone;
Sometimes she sung, as loud as larke in aire,
4 Sometimes she laught, +that nigh her breth was gone+,
Yet was there not with her else any one,
6 That +might to her+ moue cause of meriment:
Matter of merth enough, though there were none
8 She could deuise, and thousand waies inuent,
To feede her foolish humour, and vaine iolliment.
4 that nigh her breth was gone > as merry as Pope Ione 1590 6 might to her > to her might 1590
1 And therein sat a lady fresh and fair, 2 Making sweet solace to herself alone;
solace > pleasure, amusement; entertainment
3 Sometimes she sang, as loud as lark in air, 4 Sometimes she laughed, that nigh her breath was gone, 5 Yet was there not with her else anyone
else anyone > [anyone else]
6 That might to her move cause of merriment: 7 Matter of mirth enough, though there were none 8 She could devise, and thousand ways invent, 9 To feed her foolish humour, and vain jolliment.
humour > state of mind; hence: tastes jolliment > jollity, mirth
206.4
Which when farre off Cymochles heard, and saw,
2 He loudly cald to such, as were a bord,
The little barke vnto the shore to draw,
4 And him to ferrie ouer that deepe ford:
The merry marriner vnto his word
6 Soone hearkned, and her painted bote streightway
Turnd to the shore, where that same warlike Lord
8 She in receiu'd; but Atin by no way
She would admit, albe the knight her much did pray.
1 Which when far off Cymochles heard, and saw,
far off > (Qualifying Cymochles or her merriment)
2 He loudly called, to such as were aboard, 3 The little bark to the shore to draw,
bark > vessel
4 And him to ferry over that deep ford:
ford > stream, current
5 The merry mariner to his word
merry > delightful; mirthful
6 Soon hearkened, and her painted boat straightway 7 Turned to the shore, where that same warlike lord 8 She in received; but Atin by no way 9 She would admit, albe the knight her much did pray.
albe > although pray > beseech
206.5
Eftsoones her shallow ship away did slide,
2 More swift, then swallow sheres the liquid skie,
Withouten oare or Pilot it to guide,
4 Or winged canuas with the wind to flie,
Only she turn'd a pin, and by and by
6 It cut +away+ vpon the yielding waue,
Ne cared she her course for to apply:
8 For it was taught the way, which she would haue,
And both from rocks and flats it selfe could wisely saue.
6 away > a way 1611, and independently conj. Smith
1 Eftsoons her shallow ship away did slide,
Eftsoons > Soon
2 More swift than swallow shears the liquid sky,
swift > swiftly liquid > clear, transparent; bright
3 Without oar or pilot it to guide,
it > (Spenser here subordinates the gender of the boat to clarity; cf. 206.11:5 etc.)
4 Or winged canvas with the wind to fly, 5 Only she turned a pin, and by and by
by and by > straight away
6 It cut away upon the yielding wave,
away > away; a way (see Textual Appendix) wave > water
7 Nor cared she her course to apply:
apply > steer
8 For it was taught the way which she would have, 9 And both from rocks and flats itself could wisely save.
flats > shoals wisely > expertly, skilfully
206.6
And all the way, the wanton Damzell found
2 New merth, her passenger to entertaine:
For she in pleasant purpose did abound,
4 And greatly ioyed merry tales to faine,
Of which a store-house did with her remaine,
6 Yet seemed, nothing well they her became;
For all her words she drownd with laughter vaine,
8 And wanted grace in vtt'ring of the same,
That turned all her pleasance to a scoffing game.
1 And all the way, the wanton damsel found
wanton > capricious; wanton, lewd
2 New mirth, her passenger to entertain:
to > [in order to]
3 For she in pleasant purpose did abound,
purpose > conversation, discourse
4 And greatly joyed merry tales to feign,
merry > delightful, charming feign > relate
5 Of which a storehouse did with her remain, 6 Yet seemed nothing well they her became;
seemed > [it seemed] nothing > not at all
7 For all her words she drowned with laughter vain,
vain > foolish
8 And wanted grace in uttering of the same,
wanted > lacked
9 That turned all her pleasance to a scoffing game.
pleasance > pleasant behaviour; capacity for giving pleasure
206.7
And other whiles vaine toyes she would deuize,
2 As her fantasticke wit did most delight,
Sometimes her head she fondly would aguize
4 With gaudie girlonds, or fresh flowrets dight
About her necke, or rings of rushes plight;
6 Sometimes to doe him laugh, she would assay
To laugh at shaking +of+ the leaues light,
8 Or to behold the water worke, and play
About her litle frigot, therein making way.
7 of > off 1590
1 And otherwhiles vain toys she would devise,
otherwhiles > at other times vain > foolish toys > amorous games, tricks
2 As her fantastic wit did most delight, 3 Sometimes her head she fondly would aguise
fondly > foolishly aguise > array
4 With gaudy garlands, or fresh flowerets dight
gaudy > fine, gay, showy flowerets > small flowers dight > deck; hence: hang, arrange
5 About her neck, or rings of rushes plighted;
plighted > plaited
6 Sometimes, to do him laugh, she would essay
do > make essay > try, venture
7 To laugh at shaking of the leaves light, 8 Or to behold the water work and play 9 About her little frigate, therein making way.
frigate > {Light and swift boat}
206.8
Her light behauiour, and loose dalliaunce
2 Gaue wondrous great contentment to the knight,
That of his way he had no souenaunce,
4 Nor care of vow'd reuenge, and cruell fight,
But to weake wench did yeeld his martiall might.
6 So easie was to quench his flamed mind
With one sweet drop of sensuall +delight,+
8 So easie is, t'appease the stormie wind
Of malice in the calme of pleasant womankind.
7 delight, > delight. 1590
1 Her light behaviour and loose dalliance
light > wanton, frivolous dalliance > {Idle and amusing talk}
2 Gave wondrous great contentment to the knight, 3 That of his way he had no sovenance,
That > [So that] sovenance > remembrance, memory
4 Nor care of vowed revenge, and cruel fight,
care of > concern for
5 But to weak wench did yield his martial might. 6 So easy was to quench his flamed mind
flamed > angry; inflamed, burning
7 With one sweet drop of sensual delight, 8 So easy is, to appease the stormy wind
is > [it is]
9 Of malice in the calm of pleasant womankind.
206.9
Diuerse discourses in their way they spent,
2 Mongst which Cymochles of her questioned,
Both what she was, and what that vsage ment,
4 Which in her cot she daily practised.
Vaine man (said she) that wouldest be reckoned
6 A straunger in thy home, and ignoraunt
Of Ph{ae}dria (for so my name is red)
8 Of Ph{ae}dria, thine owne fellow seruaunt;
For thou to serue Acrasia thy selfe doest vaunt.
1 Diverse discourses in their way they spent,
Diverse > Diverse; also: distracting (SUS)
2 Amongst which Cymochles of her questioned 3 Both what she was, and what that usage meant, 4 Which in her cot she daily practised.
cot > small boat (Irish and Gaelic); cote, small shelter
5 "Vain man," said she, "that would be reckoned
Vain > Foolish
6 A stranger in your home, and ignorant
home > [the Bower of Bliss]
7 Of Phaedria (for so my name is read)
Phaedria > "Beaming", "Radiant", "Jocund", "Cheery" (Greek phaidros) read > declared, uttered aloud, made known
8 Of Phaedria, your own fellow servant; 9 For you to serve Acrasia yourself do vaunt.
vaunt > boast
206.10
In this wide Inland sea, that hight by name
2 The Idle lake, my wandring ship I row,
That knowes her port, and thither sailes by ayme,
4 Ne care, ne feare I, how the wind do blow,
Or whether swift I wend, or whether slow:
6 Both slow and swift a like do serue my tourne,
Ne swelling Neptune, ne loud thundring Ioue
8 Can chaunge my cheare, or make me euer mourne;
My litle boat can safely passe this perilous bourne.
1 "In this wide inland sea, that hight by name
sea > (Of which the river (206.2:4) is a tributary) hight > is called
2 The Idle Lake, my wandering ship I row,
wandering > (Cf. 308.31:1)
3 That knows her port, and thither sails by aim, 4 Neither care nor fear I how the wind do blow, 5 Or whether swift I wend, or whether slow: 6 Both slow and swift alike do serve my turn,
turn > purpose
7 Neither swelling Neptune, nor loud thundering Jove
thundering Jove > (In his guise as Jupiter Tonans, lord of the thunderbolt; hence: storms)
8 Can change my cheer, or make me ever mourn;
cheer > expression, mood
9 My little boat can safely pass this perilous bourn.
bourn > boundary (cf. Winter's Tale I ii 134), frontier (esp. of this life: cf. Hamlet III i 79); burn, brook, small river (in which case "pass" should be understood as "pass over"; cf. King Lear III vi 25)
206.11
Whiles thus she talked, and whiles thus she toyd,
2 They were farre past the passage, which he spake,
And come vnto an Island, waste and voyd,
4 That floted in the midst of that great lake,
There her small Gondelay her port did make,
6 And that gay paire issuing on the shore
Disburdned her. Their way they forward take
8 Into the land, that lay them faire before,
Whose pleasaunce she him shew'd, and plentifull great store.
1 While thus she talked, and while thus she toyed, 2 They were far past the passage which he spoke,
spoke > [had] described; hence: requested
3 And come to an island, waste and void,
waste > uncultivated void > uninhabited
4 That floated in the midst of that great lake. 5 There her small gondola her port did make, 6 And that gay pair issuing on the shore 7 Disburdened her. Their way they forward take 8 Into the land, that lay them fair before, 9 Whose pleasance she him showed, and plentiful great store.
pleasance > pleasantness; capacity for giving pleasure
206.12
It was a chosen plot of fertile land,
2 Emongst wide waues set, like a litle nest,
As if it had by Natures cunning hand,
4 Bene choisely picked out from all the rest,
And laid forth for ensample of the best:
6 No daintie flowre or herbe, that growes on ground,
No arboret with painted blossomes drest,
8 And smelling sweet, but there it might be found
To bud out faire, and +her sweet smels throw+ all around.
9 her sweet smels throw > throwe her sweete smels 1590
1 It was a chosen plot of fertile land, 2 Amongst wide waves set, like a little nest, 3 As if it had by Nature's cunning hand 4 Been choicely picked out from all the rest, 5 And laid forth for example of the best:
for example > as an example; as a model
6 No dainty flower or herb that grows on ground,
on ground > in the world
7 No arboret with painted blossoms dressed
arboret > little tree, shrub
8 And smelling sweet, but there it might be found 9 To bud out fair, and her sweet smells throw all around.
her > [its; or: Nature's]
206.13
No tree, whose braunches did not brauely spring;
2 No braunch, whereon a fine bird did not sit:
No bird, but did her shrill notes sweetly sing;
4 No song but did containe a louely dit:
Trees, braunches, birds, and songs were framed fit,
6 For to allure fraile mind to carelesse ease.
Carelesse the man soone woxe, and his weake wit
8 Was ouercome of thing, that did him please;
So pleased, did his wrathfull purpose faire appease.
1 No tree, whose branches did not bravely spring;
bravely > splendidly
2 No branch, whereon a fine bird did not sit: 3 No bird, but did her shrill notes sweetly sing; 4 No song but did contain a lovely dite:
dite > ditty, in the sense of: theme, burden
5 Trees, branches, birds, and songs were framed fit
framed > made; fashioned
6 To allure frail mind to careless ease.
frail > morally weak
7 Careless the man soon waxed, and his weak wit
Careless > Abandoned, free from cares waxed > grew, became wit > mind
8 Was overcome of thing that did him please;
of > [by the]
9 So pleased, did his wrathful purpose fair appease.
So > Thus did > [it did; he did] purpose > intention [of avenging Pyrochles]
206.14
Thus when she had his eyes and senses fed
2 With false delights, and fild with pleasures vaine,
Into a shadie dale she soft him led,
4 And laid him downe vpon a grassie plaine;
And her sweet selfe without dread, or disdaine,
6 She set beside, laying his head disarm'd
In her loose lap, it softly to sustaine,
8 Where soone he slumbred, fearing not be harm'd,
The whiles with a +loud+ lay she thus him sweetly charm'd.
9 loud > loue 1590
1 Thus when she had his eyes and senses fed 2 With false delights, and fild with pleasures vain,
fild > filled; also: defiled (cf. 105.32:2 etc.) vain > idle, empty; weak, foolish
3 Into a shady dale she soft him led, 4 And laid him down upon a grassy plain; 5 And her sweet self, without dread or disdain, 6 She set beside, laying his head disarmed
disarmed > (The helmet having been removed; "disarmed" = "stripped of armour")
7 In her loose lap, it softly to sustain, 8 Where soon he slumbered, fearing not be harmed,
be > [that he would be]
9 While with a loud lay she thus him sweetly charmed:
loud > (The reading of 1590 is probably to be preferred, but it should be noted that "loud" also has the meaning "flagrant" (usually applied to a lie), and might just be construed here as "scandalous", "suggestive", etc. See also 206.3:3, 212.15:1-4) lay > song
206.15
Behold, {o^} man, that toilesome paines doest +take+
2 The flowres, the fields, and all that pleasant growes,
How they themselues doe thine ensample make,
4 Whiles nothing enuious nature them forth throwes
Out of her fruitfull lap; how, no man knowes,
6 They spring, they bud, they blossome fresh and faire,
And deck the world with their rich pompous showes;
8 Yet no man for them taketh paines or care,
Yet no man to them can his carefull paines compare.
1 take > take, 1609
1 "Behold, O man, that toilsome pains do take,
pains > effort, labour
2 The flowers, the fields, and all that pleasant grows, 3 How they themselves do your example make,
example > pattern, model (see Matt. 6.28 ff.)
4 While, nothing envious, Nature them forth throws
nothing envious > [not at all grudgingly]
5 Out of her fruitful lap; how, no man knows, 6 They spring, they bud, they blossom fresh and fair, 7 And deck the world with their rich pompous shows;
pompous > splendid (derives from Latin pompa, a solemn procession, display)
8 Yet no man for them takes pains or care,
for > for; of
9 Yet no man to them can his careful pains compare.
careful > {Careful; full of cares}
206.16
The lilly, Ladie of the flowring field,
2 The Flowre-deluce, her louely Paramoure,
Bid thee to them thy fruitlesse labours yield,
4 And soone leaue off this toylesome wearie stoure;
Loe loe how braue she decks her bounteous boure,
6 With silken curtens and gold couerlets,
Therein to shrowd her sumptuous Belamoure,
8 Yet neither spinnes nor cardes, ne cares nor frets,
But to her mother Nature all her care she lets.
1 "The lily, lady of the flowering field,
lady > (The lily is a symbol of the feminine; cf. Henry VIII III i 151-2)
2 The flower deluce, her lovely paramour,
flower deluce > iris, flowering-lily, fleur-de-lis (heraldic ensign of the Bourbons -1594, and as such ambiguously an iris or the head of a sceptre or battle-axe; hence a phallic symbol; see also Winter's Tale IV iv 126-7) lovely > loving
3 Bid you to them your fruitless labours yield, 4 And soon leave off this toilsome weary stour;
stour > distress, unhappy condition; struggle [of everyday life]
5 Lo, lo, how brave she decks her bounteous bower
brave > splendidly bower > chamber
6 With silken curtains and gold coverlets, 7 Therein to shroud her sumptuous belamour,
shroud > shelter; conceal belamour > loved one (French bel amour; spelled "bellamoure", this word is also used for an unidentified flower in Amoretti 64:7)
8 Yet neither spins nor cards, neither cares nor frets,
cards > {Prepares wool for spinning}
9 But to her mother, Nature, all her care she lets.
lets > leaves
206.17
Why then dost thou, {o^} man, that of them all
2 Art Lord, and eke of nature Soueraine,
Wilfully make thy selfe a wretched thrall,
4 And wast thy ioyous houres in needlesse paine,
Seeking for daunger and aduentures vaine?
6 What bootes it all to haue, and nothing vse?
Who shall him rew, that swimming in the maine,
8 Will die for thirst, and water doth refuse?
Refuse such fruitlesse toile, and present pleasures chuse.
1 "Why then do you, O man, that of them all 2 Are lord, and eke of Nature sovereign,
eke > also
3 Wilfully make yourself a wretched thrall,
thrall > slave
4 And waste your joyous hours in needless pain, 5 Seeking for danger and adventures vain?
vain > futile; foolish
6 What boots it all to have, and nothing use?
boots it > does it avail
7 Who shall him rue that, swimming in the main,
rue > {Regard with pity or compassion} main > {Any broad expanse of water, here plainly fresh rather than salt}
8 Will die for thirst, and water does refuse? 9 Refuse such fruitless toil, and present pleasures choose."
206.18
By this she had him lulled fast a sleepe,
2 That of no worldly thing he care did take;
Then she with liquors strong his eyes did steepe,
4 That nothing should him hastily awake:
So she him left, and did her selfe betake
6 Vnto her boat againe, with which she cleft
The slouthfull +waue+ of that great +griesly+ lake;
8 Soone she that Island farre behind her left,
And now is come to that same place, where first she weft.
7 waue > waues 1609 7 griesly > griesy 1590
1 By this she had him lulled fast asleep,
By this > By means of this; by this time
2 That of no worldly thing he care did take;
That > [So that]
3 Then she with liquors strong his eyes did steep, 4 That nothing should him hastily awake:
That > [So that]
5 So she him left, and did herself betake 6 To her boat again, with which she cleft 7 The slothful wave of that great grisly lake;
grisly > fearsome, horrible (if the 1590 spelling is adopted, the meaning is "squalid", "hideous". Cf. 109.35:4 (where 1611 has "griesly"), 211.12:3, 301.67:7, 312.19:2)
8 Soon she that island far behind her left, 9 And now is come to that same place where first she weft.
weft > wove [her web, to ensnare Cymochles]; moved in a devious course; tacked [sailed]; wove her way
206.19
By this time was the worthy Guyon brought
2 Vnto the other side of that wide strond,
Where she was rowing, and for passage sought:
4 Him needed not long call, she soone to hond
Her ferry brought, where him she byding fond,
6 With his sad guide; himselfe she tooke a boord,
But the Blacke Palmer suffred still to stond,
8 Ne would for price, or prayers once affoord,
To ferry that old man ouer the perlous foord.
1 By this time was the worthy Guyon brought 2 To the other side of that wide strand,
other side > (Because Guyon is travelling towards the Bower of Bliss and Cymochles has travelled from it) strand > {Land bordering a body of water; shore}
3 Where she was rowing, and for passage sought; 4 Him needed not long call: she soon to hand
call > [to call]
5 Her ferry brought, where him she biding found,
biding > waiting
6 With his sad guide; himself she took aboard,
sad > grave, serious; sober
7 But the black palmer suffered still to stand,
black > (Referring to the colour of his clothes; see 201.7:2) suffered > allowed; let alone
8 Neither would for price, nor prayers once afford
afford > {Agree; give of what one has}
9 To ferry that old man over the perilous ford.
ford > stream, current
206.20
Guyon was loath to leaue his guide behind,
2 Yet being entred, might not backe retyre;
For the flit barke, obaying to her mind,
4 Forth launched quickly, as she did desire,
Ne gaue him leaue to bid that aged sire
6 Adieu, but nimbly ran her wonted course
Through the dull billowes thicke as troubled mire,
8 Whom neither wind out of their seat could forse,
Nor timely tides did driue out of their sluggish sourse.
1 Guyon was loath to leave his guide behind, 2 Yet, being entered, might not back retire;
might > could
3 For the fleet bark, obeying to her mind,
fleet > swift, fast-flying bark > vessel obeying > obedient (see 206.5:5)
4 Forth launched quickly, as she did desire, 5 Nor gave him leave to bid that aged sire
sire > father; elderly man
6 Adieu, but nimbly ran her wonted course
nimbly > swiftly; lightly; cleverly wonted > accustomed
7 Through the dull billows, thick as troubled mire,
dull > sluggish
8 Which neither wind out of their seat could force, 9 Nor timely tides did drive out of their sluggish source.
timely > regular; keeping time
206.21
And by the way, as was her wonted guize,
2 Her merry fit she freshly gan to reare,
And did of ioy and iollitie deuize,
4 Her selfe to cherish, and her guest to cheare:
The knight was courteous, and did not forbeare
6 Her honest merth and pleasaunce to partake;
But when he saw her toy, and gibe, and geare,
8 And passe the +bonds+ of modest merimake,
Her dalliance he despisd, and follies did forsake.
8 bonds > bounds 1609
1 And by the way, as was her wonted guise,
by the way > in the course of the voyage wonted guise > custom, customary manner
2 Her merry fit she freshly began to rear,
merry > amusing, delightful, charming fit > mood, humour rear > {Bring into existence; resume}
3 And did of joy and jollity devise,
jollity > pleasure; lust devise > talk
4 Herself to cherish, and her guest to cheer:
cherish > entertain; cheer
5 The knight was courteous, and did not forbear 6 Her honest mirth and pleasance to partake;
pleasance > pleasing behaviour partake > share, share in
7 But when he saw her toy, and gibe, and jeer, 8 And pass the bounds of modest merrimake,
merrimake > merry-making
9 Her dalliance he despised, and follies did forsake.
dalliance > {Idle and amusing talk} follies > foolishnesses; lewdnesses, wantonnesses forsake > refuse, decline
206.22
Yet she still followed her former stile,
2 And said, and did all that mote him delight,
Till they arriued in that pleasant Ile,
4 Where sleeping late she left her other knight.
But when as Guyon of that land had sight,
6 He wist himselfe amisse, and angry said;
Ah Dame, perdie ye haue not doen me right,
8 Thus to mislead me, whiles I you obaid:
Me litle needed from my right way to haue straid.
1 Yet she still followed her former style, 2 And said and did all that might him delight, 3 Till they arrived in that pleasant isle,
in > [at]
4 Where, sleeping late, she left her other knight.
late > lately
5 But when Guyon of that land had sight, 6 He wist himself amiss, and angry said:
wist > knew, believed amiss > [to be] away from the mark, lost
7 "Ah dame, pardie you have not done me right,
pardie > truly; "by God" done > served, treated
8 Thus to mislead me, while I you obeyed: 9 Me little needed from my right way to have strayed."
206.23
Faire Sir (quoth she) be not displeasd at all;
2 Who fares on sea, may not commaund his way,
Ne wind and weather at his pleasure call:
4 The sea is wide, and easie for to stray;
The wind vnstable, and doth neuer stay.
6 But here a while ye may in safety rest,
Till season serue new passage to assay;
8 Better safe port, then be in seas distrest.
Therewith she laught, and did her earnest end in iest.
1 "Fair sir," quoth she, "be not displeased at all; 2 Who fares on sea may not command his way,
Who > [Whoever]
3 Nor wind and weather at his pleasure call: 4 The sea is wide, and easy to stray;
easy > [it is easy]
5 The wind unstable, and does never stay.
stay > cease
6 But here awhile you may in safety rest, 7 Till season serve new passage to essay;
essay > attempt
8 Better safe port, than be in seas distressed."
distressed > [in distress, when distressed]
9 Therewith she laughed, and did her earnest end in jest.
Therewith > With that; thereupon earnest > seriousness
206.24
But he halfe discontent, mote nathelesse
2 Himselfe appease, and issewd forth on shore:
The ioyes whereof, and happie fruitfulnesse,
4 Such as he +saw,+ she gan him lay before,
And all though pleasant, yet she made much more:
6 The fields did laugh, the flowres did freshly spring,
The trees did bud, and earely blossomes bore,
8 And all the quire of birds did sweetly sing,
And told that gardins pleasures in their caroling.
4 saw, > saw 1596, 1609
1 But he, half discontent, might natheless
might > could, was able to natheless > nevertheless
2 Himself appease, and issued forth on shore:
appease > calm
3 The joys whereof, and happy fruitfulness, 4 Such as he saw, she gan him lay before,
gan > did; began to lay before > show; submit to the consideration of
5 And all though pleasant, yet she made much more:
all though > although; or: all, though more > [more pleasant, more of]
6 The fields did laugh, the flowers did freshly spring,
field > {Open ground as opposed to woodland; plain. This rather than the modern meaning is to be taken, since at 206.11:3 we are told that the island is "waste"}
7 The trees did bud, and early blossoms bore, 8 And all the choir of birds did sweetly sing, 9 And told that garden's pleasures in their carolling.
carolling > {Singing a lively or joyous song}
206.25
And she more sweet, then any bird on bough,
2 Would oftentimes emongst them beare a part,
And striue to passe (as she could well enough)
4 Their natiue musicke by her skilfull art:
So did she all, that might his constant hart
6 Withdraw from thought of warlike enterprize,
And drowne in dissolute delights apart,
8 Where noyse of armes, or vew of martiall guize
Might not reuiue desire of knightly exercize.
1 And she, more sweet than any bird on bough, 2 Would oftentimes amongst them bear a part,
oftentimes > often bear > carry, sustain; hence: take
3 And strive to pass (as she could well enough)
pass > surpass
4 Their native music by her skilful art:
native > natural; innate
5 So did she all that might his constant heart 6 Withdraw from thought of warlike enterprise, 7 And drown in dissolute delights apart, 8 Where noise of arms, or view of martial guise
arms > {Deeds of arms} martial guise > martial behaviour; martial attire, hence: armour, weapons
9 Might not revive desire of knightly exercise.
206.26
But he was wise, and warie of her will,
2 And euer held his hand vpon his hart:
Yet would not seeme so rude, and thewed ill,
4 As to despise so courteous seeming part,
That gentle Ladie did to him impart,
6 But fairely tempring fond desire subdewd,
And euer her desired to depart.
8 She list not heare, but her disports poursewd,
And euer bad him stay, till time the tide renewd.
1 But he was wise, and wary of her will, 2 And ever held his hand upon his heart: 3 Yet would not seem so rude, and thewed ill,
thewed ill > badly brought-up
4 As to despise so courteous-seeming part
part > [a] concern
5 That gentle lady did to him impart,
gentle > [a] noble
6 But fairly tempering fond desire subdued,
fond > foolish
7 And ever her desired to depart.
desired to depart > asked that they might depart
8 She list not hear, but her disports pursued,
list not > chose not [to] disport > merriment; diversion (including the sense of "diverting from the true path"); wanton entertainment
9 And ever bade him stay, till time the tide renewed.
tide > (There are no tides on the Idle Lake (see 206.20:9), so she wants him never to leave)
206.27
And now by this, Cymochles howre was spent,
2 That he awoke out of his idle dreme,
And shaking off his drowzie dreriment,
4 Gan him auize, how ill did him beseeme,
In slouthfull sleepe his molten hart to steme,
6 And quench the brond of his conceiued ire.
Tho vp he started, stird with shame extreme,
8 Ne staied for his Damzell to inquire,
But marched to the strond, +there+ passage to require.
9 there > their 1590, 1596; cf. 110.36:6, 202.30:1, 211.21:8, 304.41:7, 312.28:1
1 And now by this Cymochles' hour was spent,
by this > by this time hour > time; hour
2 That he awoke out of his idle dream,
That > [So that] idle > idle; empty, unavailing; weak-headed
3 And, shaking off his drowsy dreariment,
dreariment > melancholy
4 Gan him advise how ill did him beseem
Gan > Did; began to him advise > reflect did him beseem > [it became him]
5 In slothful sleep his molten heart to steam,
steam > soften [as if by cooking]
6 And quench the brand of his conceived ire. 7 Tho up he started, stirred with shame extreme,
Tho > Then
8 Nor stayed for his damsel to inquire,
stayed > waited
9 But marched to the strand, there passage to require.
strand > shore
206.28
And in the way he with Sir Guyon met,
2 Accompanyde with Ph{ae}dria the faire,
Eftsoones he gan to rage, and inly fret,
4 Crying, Let be that Ladie debonaire,
Thou recreant knight, and soone thy selfe prepaire
6 To battell, if thou meane her loue to gaine:
Loe, loe alreadie, how the fowles in aire
8 Doe flocke, awaiting shortly to obtaine
Thy carcasse for their pray, the guerdon of thy paine.
1 And in the way he with Sir Guyon met, 2 Accompanied with Phaedria the fair:
with > by
3 Eftsoons he began to rage, and inly fret,
Eftsoons > Thereupon inly > inwardly fret > fret; gnaw upon himself
4 Crying, "Let be that lady debonair,
debonair > gracious; meek, gentle
5 You recreant knight, and soon yourself prepare
recreant > cowardly, apostate (cf. 104.41:4) soon > without delay
6 To battle, if you mean her love to gain:
mean > intend
7 Lo, lo already, how the fowls in air 8 Do flock, awaiting shortly to obtain 9 Your carcase for their prey, the guerdon of your pain.
guerdon > reward pain > effort, trouble
206.29
And therewithall he fiercely at him flew,
2 And with +importune+ outrage him assayld;
Who soone prepard to field, his sword forth drew,
4 And him with equall value counteruayld:
Their mightie strokes their haberieons dismayld,
6 And naked made each others manly spalles;
The mortall steele despiteously entayld
8 Deepe in their flesh, quite through the yron walles,
That a large purple streme +adown+ their giambeux falles.
2 importune > importance 1596; important 1609 9 adown > a down 1596
1 And therewithal he fiercely at him flew,
therewithal > therewith, with that; forthwith
2 And with importune outrage him assailed;
importune > grievous outrage > intemperance; fury
3 Who, soon prepared to field, his sword forth drew,
field > {Defend the field of battle}
4 And him with equal value countervailed:
value > valour; worth countervailed > vied with; resisted
5 Their mighty strokes their habergeons dismailed,
habergeon > {Sleeveless coat of chain-mail} dismailed > stripped of mail
6 And naked made each other's manly spalls;
spalls > shoulders
7 The mortal steel dispiteously entailed
mortal > lethal dispiteously > pitilessly entailed > incised
8 Deep in their flesh, quite through the iron walls, 9 That a large purple stream adown their jambeaux falls.
That > [So that] purple > red, blood-red adown > down jambeaux > leg-armour, greaves; or: leggings (perhaps of mail)
206.30
Cymochles, that had neuer met +before,+
2 So puissant foe, with enuious despight
His proud presumed force increased more,
4 Disdeigning to be held so long in fight;
Sir Guyon grudging not so much his might,
6 As those vnknightly raylings, which he spoke,
With wrathfull fire his courage kindled bright,
8 Thereof deuising shortly to be wroke,
And doubling all his powres, redoubled euery stroke.
1 before, > before 1609
1 Cymochles, that had never met before
met > encountered in battle
2 So puissant foe, with envious despite
puissant > powerful [a] envious > malevolent despite > rage
3 His proud presumed force increased more,
presumed force > [the force that Cymochles presumes he has]
4 Disdaining to be held so long in fight; 5 Sir Guyon (grudging not so much his might
grudging > being mentally troubled with; hence: resenting
6 As those unknightly railings which he spoke) 7 With wrathful fire his courage kindled bright, 8 Thereof devising shortly to be wreaked,
devising > skilfully preparing; contriving wreaked > avenged
9 And, doubling all his powers, redoubled every stroke.
206.31
Both of them high attonce their hands enhaunst,
2 And both attonce their huge blowes downe did sway;
Cymochles sword on Guyons shield yglaunst,
4 And thereof nigh one quarter sheard away;
But Guyons angry blade so fierce did play
6 On th'others helmet, which as Titan shone,
That quite it cloue his plumed crest in tway,
8 And bared all his head vnto the bone;
Wherewith astonisht, still he stood, as senselesse stone.
1 Both of them high at once their hands enhanced,
at once > simultaneously enhanced > raised
2 And both at once their huge blows down did sway;
sway > swing
3 Cymochles' sword on Guyon's shield glanced, 4 And thereof nigh one quarter sheared away; 5 But Guyon's angry blade so fierce did play 6 On the other's helmet (which as Titan shone),
as Titan shone > [shone like the sun]
7 That quite it clove his plumed crest in tway,
clove > cleft, divided plumed > [bearing a plume] tway > two
8 And bared all his head to the bone; 9 Wherewith astonished, still he stood, as senseless stone.
Wherewith > With which astonished > stunned; bewildered
206.32
Still as he stood, faire Ph{ae}dria, that beheld
2 That deadly daunger, soone atweene them ran;
And at their feet her selfe most humbly feld,
4 Crying with pitteous voice, and count'nance wan;
Ah well away, most noble Lords, how can
6 Your cruell eyes endure so pitteous sight,
To shed your liues on ground? wo worth the man,
8 That first did teach the cursed steele to bight
In his owne flesh, and make way to the liuing spright.
1 Still as he stood, fair Phaedria, that beheld 2 That deadly danger, soon atween them ran;
atween > between
3 And at their feet herself most humbly felled, 4 Crying with piteous voice, and countenance wan: 5 "Ah wellaway, most noble lords, how can
wellaway > alas!
6 Your cruel eyes endure so piteous sight,