CANTO VI
The birth of faire Belph{oe}be and
2 Of Amoret is told.
The Gardins of Adonis fraught
4 With pleasures manifold.
1 The birth of fair Belphoebe and 2 Of Amoret is told.
Amoret > "Little Love" (from the Italian amoretto)
3 The Gardens of Adonis, fraught
fraught > filled
4 With pleasures manifold.
306.1
WEll may I weene, faire Ladies, all this while
2 Ye wonder, how this noble Damozell
So great perfections did in her compile,
4 Sith that in saluage forests she did dwell,
So farre from court and royall Citadell,
6 The great schoolmistresse of all curtesy:
Seemeth that such wild woods should far expell
8 All ciuill vsage and gentility,
And gentle sprite deforme with rude rusticity.
1 Well may I ween, fair ladies, all this while
ween > surmise
2 You wonder how this noble damsel
wonder > wonder; marvel
3 So great perfections did in herself compile,
So > Such compile > heap together; compose (e.g. a sonnet)
4 Sith in savage forests she did dwell,
Sith > Since savage > wild, uncivilized
5 So far from court and royal citadel, 6 The great schoolmistress of all courtesy: 7 Seems that such wild woods should far expel
Seems > [It seems]
8 All civil usage and gentility, 9 And gentle spirit deform with rude rusticity.
gentle > noble deform > disfigure; render hideous rude > clumsy, barbaric
306.2
But to this faire Belph{oe}be in her berth
2 The heauens so fauourable were and free,
Looking with myld aspect vpon the earth,
4 In th'Horoscope of her natiuitee,
That all the gifts of grace and chastitee
6 On her they poured forth of plenteous horne;
Ioue laught on Venus from his soueraigne see,
8 And Ph{oe}bus with faire beames did her adorne,
And all the Graces rockt her cradle being borne.
1 But to this fair Belphoebe in her birth 2 The heavens so favourable were and free
free > generous, magnanimous
3 (Looking with mild aspect upon the earth,
mild > gracious, kind
4 In the horoscope of her nativity), 5 That all the gifts of grace and chastity 6 On her they poured forth of plenteous horn;
plenteous horn > (The cornucopia, the horn of plenty, the symbol of fruitfulness and plenty)
7 Jove laughed on Venus from his sovereign see,
Venus > (The astrological combination of Jupiter and Venus is held to be especially favourable) see > throne
8 And Phoebus with fair beams did her adorn, 9 And all the Graces rocked her cradle being born.
Graces > (Three daughters of Jupiter, often described as the handmaids of Venus. They are especially associated with poetry) being > [once she had been]
306.3
Her berth was of the wombe of Morning dew,
2 And her conception of the ioyous Prime,
And all her whole creation did her shew
4 Pure and vnspotted from all loathly crime,
That is ingenerate in fleshly slime.
6 So was this virgin borne, so was she bred,
So was she trayned vp from time to time,
8 In all chast vertue, and true bounti-hed
Till to her dew perfection she was ripened.
1 Her birth was of the womb of morning dew, 2 And her conception of the joyous prime,
prime > sunrise; springtime
3 And all her whole creation did her show
show > [show to be, prove to be]
4 Pure and unspotted from all loathly crime,
unspotted from > innocent of loathly > loathsome crime > {Wrongdoing; sins taken collectively}
5 That is ingenerate in fleshly slime.
ingenerate > inborn; engendered fleshly slime > [human flesh; "slime" = "clay": cf. e.g. 209.21:5]
6 So was this virgin born, so was she bred,
So > Thus, in this manner
7 So was she trained up from time to time,
from time to time > [from stage to stage in her development]
8 In all chaste virtue and true bountihead,
bountihead > bounteousness; goodness, virtue
9 Till to her due perfection she was ripened.
306.4
Her mother was the faire Chrysogonee,
2 The daughter of Amphisa, who by race
A Faerie was, yborne of high degree,
4 She bore +Belph{ae}be+, she bore in like cace
Faire Amoretta in the second place:
6 These two were twinnes, and twixt them two did share
The heritage of all celestiall grace.
8 That all the rest it seem'd they robbed bare
Of bountie, and of beautie, and all vertues rare.
4 Belph{ae}be > Belphoebe 1609
1 Her mother was the fair Chrysogone,
Chrysogone > "Golden-born" (Greek)
2 The daughter of Amphisa, who by race
Amphisa > "On Both Sides", "Of Double Nature" (Greek)
3 A Faery was, born of high degree.
degree > rank
4 She bore Belphoebe, she bore in like case
in like case > [similarly]
5 Fair Amoret in the second place: 6 These two were twins, and 'twixt them two did share 7 The heritage of all celestial grace, 8 That all the rest, it seemed, they robbed bare
That > [So that]
9 Of bounty, and of beauty, and all virtues rare.
306.5
It were a goodly storie, to declare,
2 By what straunge accident faire Chrysogone
Conceiu'd these infants, and how she them bare,
4 In this wild forrest wandring all alone,
After she had nine moneths fulfild and gone:
6 For not as other wemens commune brood,
They were enwombed in the sacred throne
8 Of her chaste bodie, nor with commune food,
As other wemens babes, they sucked vitall blood.
1 It were a goodly story, to declare 2 By what strange accident fair Chrysogone
accident > occurrence
3 Conceived these infants, and how she them bore 4 In this wild forest, wandering all alone, 5 After she had nine months fulfilled and gone:
fulfilled and gone > filled up and completed; hence: passed
6 For not as other women's common brood
brood > offspring
7 They were enwombed in the sacred throne
They were > [Were they] enwombed > {Placed in a womb}
8 Of her chaste body, nor with common food
with > in exchange for; hence: as
9 (As other women's babes) they sucked vital blood.
they sucked > [did they suck]
306.6
But wondrously they were begot, and bred
2 Through influence of th'heauens fruitfull ray,
As it in antique bookes is mentioned.
4 It was vpon a Sommers shynie day,
When Titan faire +his beames+ did display,
6 In a fresh fountaine, farre from all mens vew,
She bath'd her brest, the boyling heat t'allay;
8 She bath'd with roses red, and violets blew,
And all the sweetest flowres, that in the forrest grew.
5 his beames > his hot beames 1609
1 But wondrously they were begotten, and bred 2 Through influence of the heavens' fruitful ray,
influence > {Emanation from the heavens: the supposed flowing from the stars of an ethereal fluid affecting men's characters and destiny. Derived from the Latin influentem, via French influence}
3 As it in antique books is mentioned.
antique books > ancient books (e.g. Met. 1.416-37, Myth. 4.13)
4 It was upon a summer's shiny day, 5 When Titan fair his beams did display,
fair > fair (referring to Titan); fairly (adj.) display > spread out; display
6 In a fresh fountain, far from all men's view,
In > [That in]
7 She bathed her breast, the boiling heat to allay; 8 She bathed with roses red, and violets blue, 9 And all the sweetest flowers that in the forest grew.
306.7
Till faint through irkesome wearinesse, adowne
2 Vpon the grassie ground her selfe she layd
To sleepe, the whiles a gentle slombring swowne
4 Vpon her fell all naked bare displayd;
The sunne-beames bright vpon her body playd,
6 Being through former bathing mollifide,
And pierst into her wombe, where they embayd
8 With so sweet sence and secret power vnspide,
That in her pregnant flesh they shortly fructifide.
1 Till, faint through irksome weariness, adown
irksome > irksome; weary adown > down
2 Upon the grassy ground herself she laid 3 To sleep, the whiles a gentle slumbering swoon
the whiles > while; meanwhile
4 Upon her fell, all naked bare displayed;
all > [as she lay all] displayed > displayed; spread out
5 The sunbeams bright upon her body played 6 (Being through former bathing mollified)
Being > [Her body being] mollified > softened
7 And pierced into her womb, where they embayed
embayed > {Bathed; also: lay or were trapped within a bay (as a ship), were shut in}
8 With so sweet sense and secret power unspied,
so > such sense > {Feeling, sensation; also, perhaps: direction in which motion takes place, hence: intention, purpose (after French sens)}
9 That in her pregnant flesh they shortly fructified.
306.8
Miraculous may seeme to him, that reades
2 So straunge ensample of conception;
But reason teacheth that the fruitfull seades
4 Of all things liuing, through impression
Of the sunbeames in moyst complexion,
6 Doe life conceiue and quickned are by kynd:
So after Nilus invndation,
8 Infinite shapes of +creatures+ men do fynd,
Informed in the mud, on which the Sunne hath shynd.
8 creatures > creature 1596
1 Miraculous may seem to him that reads
may > [it may]
2 So strange example of conception;
So > [Such a]
3 But reason teaches that the fruitful seeds 4 Of all things living, through impression 5 Of the sunbeams in moist complexion,
complexion > combination of humours ("cold" or "hot", "moist" or "dry". The "humours", in medieval physiology, were the four chief fluids of the body: blood, phlegm, choler and melancholy. A person's temperament was said to be determined by the relative proportions of these four cardinal humours)
6 Do life conceive and quickened are by kind:
quickened > given life by kind > by nature; by their natures
7 So after Nile's inundation,
Nile > [the River Nile; see 101.21]
8 Infinite shapes of creatures men do find 9 Informed in the mud, on which the sun has shone.
Informed > Formed; arranged
306.9
Great father he of generation
2 Is rightly cald, th'author of life and light;
And his faire sister for creation
4 Ministreth matter fit, which tempred right
With heate and humour, breedes the liuing wight.
6 So sprong these twinnes in wombe of Chrysogone,
Yet wist she nought thereof, but sore affright,
8 Wondred to see her belly so vpblone,
Which still increast, till she her terme had full outgone.
1 Great father he of generation
he > [the sun]
2 Is rightly called, the author of life and light; 3 And his fair sister for creation
his fair sister > (The moon: Phoebe (Diana) is the twin sister of Phoebus Apollo)
4 Ministers matter fit, which, tempered right
Ministers > Manages; furnishes; dispenses (Spenser's chief source for this account of spontaneous generation is Met. 1.416-37)
5 With heat and humour, breeds the living wight.
humour > moisture wight > creature
6 So sprang these twins in womb of Chrysogone, 7 Yet wist she naught thereof, but sore affright,
Yet wist she naught thereof, but sore affright > (Two inter- pretations seem possible: (1) "Yet knew she nothing thereof, but, sorely terrified," in which case "Wondered" at the start of line 8 means "Marvelled"; and (2) "Yet she knew nothing thereof but sore terror," giving "Wondered" the meaning "Filled with wonder")
8 Wondered to see her belly so up-blown,
up-blown > swollen
9 Which still increased, till she her term had full outgone.
still > continually
306.10
Whereof conceiuing shame and foule disgrace,
2 Albe her guiltlesse conscience her cleard,
She fled into the wildernesse a space,
4 Till that vnweeldy burden she had reard,
And shund dishonor, which as death she feard:
6 Where wearie of long trauell, downe to rest
Her selfe she set, and comfortably cheard;
8 There a sad cloud of sleepe her ouerkest,
And seized euery sense with sorrow sore opprest.
1 Whereof conceiving shame and foul disgrace
Whereof > Of which
2 (Albe her guiltless conscience her cleared),
Albe > Albeit
3 She fled into the wilderness a space,
a space > for a time
4 Till that unwieldy burden she had reared,
reared > brought into existence
5 And shunned dishonour, which as death she feared: 6 Where, weary of long travel, down to rest
travel > travel; travail, labour
7 Herself she set, and comfortably cheered;
comfortably > [self consolingly]
8 There a sad cloud of sleep her overcast,
sad > heavy; sad overcast > overshadowed
9 And seized every sense with sorrow sore oppressed.
oppressed > overwhelmed; oppressed
306.11
It fortuned, faire Venus hauing lost
2 Her little sonne, the winged god of loue,
Who for some light displeasure, which him crost,
4 Was from her fled, as flit as ayerie Doue,
And left her blisfull bowre of ioy aboue,
6 (So from her often he had fled away,
When she for ought him sharpely did reproue,
8 And wandred in the world in strange aray,
Disguiz'd in thousand shapes, that none might him bewray.)
1 It fortuned, fair Venus having lost 2 Her little son, the winged god of love,
Her little son > [Cupid]
3 Who for some light displeasure, which him crossed, 4 Was from her fled, as flit as airy dove,
flit > swift, fleet
5 And left her blissful bower of joy above
left > [had left] bower > abode
6 (So from her often he had fled away, 7 When she for aught him sharply did reprove, 8 And wandered in the world in strange array,
array > attire
9 Disguised in thousand shapes, that none might him bewray),
that > [so that] bewray > betray; reveal
306.12
Him for to seeke, she left her heauenly hous,
2 The house of goodly formes and faire aspects,
Whence all the world deriues the glorious
4 Features of +beautie+, and all shapes select,
With which high God his workmanship hath deckt;
6 And searched euery way, through which his wings
Had borne him, or his tract she mote detect:
8 She promist kisses sweet, and sweeter things
Vnto the man, that of him tydings to her brings.
4 beautie > beauties 1596, 1609
1 Him to seek, she left her heavenly house
heavenly house > (This also encompasses the astrological sense)
2 (The house of goodly forms and fair aspects
goodly > beautiful aspects > views; aspects (in the astrological sense)
3 Whence all the world derives the glorious 4 Features of beauty, and all shapes select,
select > choice, superior
5 With which high God His workmanship has decked), 6 And searched every way, through which his wings 7 Had borne him, or his tract she might detect:
his > [in which his] tract > track, trail
8 She promised kisses sweet, and sweeter things 9 To the man that of him tidings to her brings.
brings > [should bring]
306.13
First she him sought in Court, where most he vsed
2 Whylome to haunt, but there she found him not;
But many there she found, which sore accused
4 His falsehood, and with foule infamous blot
His cruell deedes and wicked wyles did spot:
6 Ladies and Lords she euery where mote heare
Complayning, how with his empoysned shot
8 Their wofull harts he wounded had whyleare,
And so had left them languishing twixt hope and feare.
1 First she him sought in court, where most he used 2 Whilom to haunt, but there she found him not;
Whilom > Formerly haunt > resort
3 But many there she found who sore accused
accused > blamed; made known
4 His falsehood, and with foul infamous blot 5 His cruel deeds and wicked wiles did spot:
spot > asperse, calumniate
6 Ladies and lords she everywhere might hear
might > could
7 Complaining how with his empoisoned shot
empoisoned > {Dipped in poison} shot > action of shooting with a bow; hence: arrow
8 Their woeful hearts he wounded had whilere,
whilere > erewhile: a while before
9 And so had left them languishing 'twixt hope and fear.
306.14
She then the Citties sought from gate to gate,
2 And euery one did aske, did he him see;
And euery one her answerd, that too late
4 He had him seene, and felt the crueltie
Of his sharpe darts and whot artillerie;
6 And euery one threw forth reproches rife
Of his mischieuous deedes, and said, That hee
8 Was the disturber of all ciuill life,
The enimy of peace, and author of all strife.
1 She then the cities sought from gate to gate,
sought > searched from gate to gate > [from end to end: many cities being formerly enclosed by a wall]
2 And everyone did ask, did he him see; 3 And everyone her answered that too late 4 He had him seen, and felt the cruelty 5 Of his sharp darts and hot artillery; 6 And everyone threw forth reproaches rife
rife > abundant; abundantly
7 Of his mischievous deeds, and said that he
mischievous > harmful
8 Was the disturber of all civil life, 9 The enemy of peace, and author of all strife.
306.15
Then in the countrey she abroad him sought,
2 And in the rurall cottages inquired,
Where also many plaints to her were brought,
4 How he their heedlesse harts with loue had fyred,
And his false venim through their veines inspyred;
6 And eke the gentle shepheard swaynes, which sat
Keeping their fleecie flockes, as they were hyred,
8 She sweetly heard complaine, both how and what
Her sonne had to them doen; yet she did smile thereat.
1 Then in the country she abroad him sought,
abroad > broadly, widely; in different directions
2 And in the rural cottages inquired, 3 Where also many plaints to her were brought,
plaint > {Complaint; statement of grievance in seeking redress}
4 How he their heedless hearts with love had fired, 5 And his false venom through their veins inspired;
inspired > [had] breathed, infused
6 And eke the gentle shepherd swains, who sat
eke > moreover swains > young men, rustics
7 Keeping their fleecy flocks, as they were hired, 8 She sweetly heard complain, both how and what 9 Her son had to them done; yet she did smile thereat.
thereat > at that, as a result of that
306.16
But when in none of all these she him got,
2 She gan auize, where else he mote him hyde:
At last she her bethought, that she had not
4 Yet sought the saluage woods and forrests wyde,
In which full many louely Nymphes abyde,
6 Mongst whom might be, that he did closely lye,
Or that the loue of some of them him tyde:
8 For thy she thither cast her course t'apply,
To search the secret haunts of Dianes company.
1 But when in none of all these she him got,
got > got hold of; hence: found
2 She gan advise where else he might himself hide:
gan > did advise > consider, ponder
3 At last she her bethought that she had not
her bethought > reminded herself
4 Yet sought the savage woods and forests wide,
sought > searched savage > wild, uncultivated
5 In which full many lovely nymphs abide,
full > very nymphs > (The minor female divinities with whom the Greeks peopled all parts of nature) abide > dwell
6 Amongst whom might be that he did closely lie,
might > [it might] closely > secretly
7 Or that the love of some of them him tied: 8 For-thy she thither cast her course to apply,
For-thy > Therefore; for this reason cast > decided apply > steer
9 To search the secret haunts of Diana's company.
haunts > resorts
306.17
Shortly vnto the wastefull woods she came,
2 Whereas she found the Goddesse with her crew,
After late chace of their embrewed game,
4 Sitting beside a fountaine in a rew,
Some of them washing with the liquid dew
6 From off their dainty limbes the dustie sweat,
And soyle which did deforme their liuely hew;
8 Others lay shaded from the scorching heat;
The rest vpon her person gaue attendance great.
1 Shortly to the wasteful woods she came,
wasteful > desolate, uncultivated
2 Where she found the goddess with her crew,
crew > company, retinue; applied also to an organized band of armed men, hence: armed retinue
3 After late chase of their imbrued game,
late > recent imbrued > blood-stained, blood-soaked
4 Sitting beside a fountain in a rew,
rew > row, line (with the pun on "rue")
5 Some of them washing with the liquid dew 6 From off their dainty limbs the dusty sweat
dainty > delightful, comely
7 And soil which did deform their lively hue;
deform > disfigure, defile lively > vital hue > appearance; colour, complexion
8 Others lay shaded from the scorching heat; 9 The rest upon her person gave attendance great.
306.18
She hauing hong vpon a bough on high
2 Her bow and painted quiuer, had vnlaste
Her siluer buskins from her nimble thigh,
4 And her lancke loynes vngirt, and brests vnbraste,
After her heat the breathing cold to taste;
6 Her golden lockes, that late in tresses bright
Embreaded were for hindring of her haste,
8 Now loose about her shoulders hong vndight,
And were with sweet Ambrosia all besprinckled light.
1 She, having hung upon a bough on high 2 Her bow and painted quiver, had unlaced 3 Her silver buskins from her nimble thigh,
buskins > boots, half-boots (not extending to thigh; they are silver because she is also goddess of the moon) nimble > swift; agile thigh > [feet, legs]
4 And her lank loins ungirt, and breasts unbraced,
lank > lean, slender loins > flanks, waist (to "gird up one's loins" is to prepare oneself for action) unbraced > freed (from confining bands or braces forming part of armour, etc.)
5 After her heat the breathing cold to taste; 6 Her golden locks, that late in tresses bright
late > recently bright > bright; beautiful
7 Embraided were for hindering of her haste,
Embraided > Plaited for hindering of > [to prevent them from hindering]
8 Now loose about her shoulders hung undight,
undight > unarranged; hence: loose, loosely
9 And were with sweet ambrosia all besprinkled light.
ambrosia > (Possibly the unguent of the gods: cf. PL 5.55, Aen. 1.403-4, though this meaning came into currency rather later than 1590. In his Herball (1597) 950 (quoted Fowler (1971) 101), Gerard remarks that "The fragrant smell that this kinde of Ambrosia or Oke of Cappadocia yeeldeth, hath mooved the Poets to suppose that this herbe was meate and foode for the gods." The "Oak of Cappadocia" is a plant of the daisy family. Perhaps we are simply to take it that Diana's hair, after the chase, is left sprinkled with perfumed fragments of leaves and flowers) besprinkled > {Sprinkled all over; the prefix is intensive}
306.19
Soone as she Venus saw behind her backe,
2 She was asham'd to be so loose surprized
And woxe halfe wroth against her damzels slacke,
4 That had not her thereof before auized,
But suffred her so carelesly disguized
6 Be ouertaken. Soone her garments loose
Vpgath'ring, in her bosome she comprized,
8 Well as she might, and to the Goddesse rose,
Whiles all her Nymphes did like a girlond her enclose.
1 Soon as she Venus saw behind her back,
Soon > [As soon]
2 She was ashamed to be so loose surprised
loose > ungirt, naked
3 And waxed half wroth against her damsels slack,
waxed half wroth against > half grew angry with
4 That had not her thereof before advised,
advised > informed, apprised
5 But suffered her so carelessly disguised
suffered > allowed disguised > {Dressed in a fashion different from that which is customary or considered appropriate}
6 Be overtaken. Soon her garments loose,
Be > [To be]
Soon > Straightway
7 Upgathering, in her bosom she comprised
comprised > embraced
8 Well as she might, and to the goddess rose,
Well > [As well]
9 While all her nymphs did like a garland her enclose.
306.20
Goodly she gan faire Cytherea greet,
2 And shortly asked her, what cause her brought
Into that wildernesse for her vnmeet,
4 From her sweet bowres, and beds with pleasures fraught:
That suddein change she strange aduenture thought.
6 To whom halfe weeping, she thus answered,
That she her dearest sonne Cupido sought,
8 Who in his frowardnesse from her was fled;
That she repented sore, to haue him angered.
1 Goodly she gan fair Cytherea greet,
Goodly > Politely (though somewhat icily, as the following dialogue
shows)
gan > did
Cytherea > (Another name for Venus, after the island of Cythera
(Cerigo), off which it is said she first rose from the foam of
the sea)
2 And shortly asked her what cause her brought
shortly > presently; curtly
3 Into that wilderness for her unmeet,
unmeet > unsuitable, unfitting
4 From her sweet bowers, and beds with pleasures fraught:
bowers > rooms, bedrooms fraught > filled
5 That sudden change she strange adventure thought.
adventure > occurrence
6 To whom, half weeping, she thus answered, 7 That she her dearest son Cupid sought, 8 Who in his frowardness from her was fled;
frowardness > naughtiness; refractoriness, perverseness
9 That she repented sore, to have him angered.
306.21
Thereat Diana gan to smile, in scorne
2 Of her vaine plaint, and to her scoffing sayd;
Great pittie sure, that ye be so forlorne
4 Of your gay sonne, that giues ye so good ayd
To your disports: ill mote ye bene apayd.
6 But she was more engrieued, and replide;
Faire sister, ill beseemes it to vpbrayd
8 A dolefull heart with so disdainfull pride;
The like that mine, may be your paine another tide.
1 Thereat Diana began to smile, in scorn
Thereat > Thereupon; as a result of that
2 Of her vain plaint, and to her, scoffing, said:
vain plaint > foolish complaint
3 "Great pity sure, that you be so forlorn
be > are forlorn > abandoned
4 Of your gay son, that gives you so good aid
Of > By so > such
5 To your disports: ill might you been apaid."
To > [In] disports > diversions, sports ill > evilly, badly been apaid > have been repaid; or, as an imprecation: be pleased, be satisfied
6 But she was more engrieved, and replied:
engrieved > aggravated; grieved
7 "Fair sister, ill beseems it to upbraid
beseems > becomes
8 A doleful heart with so disdainful pride;
so > such
9 The like that mine may be your pain another tide.
The like that > [A similar predicament to] tide > time
306.22
As you in woods and wanton wildernesse
2 Your glory set, to chace the saluage beasts,
So my delight is all in ioyfulnesse,
4 In beds, in bowres, in banckets, and in feasts:
And ill becomes you with your loftie creasts,
6 To scorne the ioy, that Ioue is glad to seeke;
We both are bound to follow heauens beheasts,
8 And tend our charges with obeisance meeke:
Spare, gentle sister, with reproch my paine to eeke.
1 "As you in woods and wanton wilderness
wanton > rank, luxuriant; untrammelled
2 Your glory set, to chase the savage beasts,
savage > wild; savage
3 So my delight is all in joyfulness, 4 In beds, in bowers, in banquets, and in feasts:
bowers > bedrooms
5 And ill becomes you with your lofty crests
crests > {Symbols of pride or self-confidence; "lofty crests" thus = "superior ways"}
6 To scorn the joy that Jove is glad to seek; 7 We both are bound to follow heaven's behests, 8 And tend our charges with obeisance meek:
obeisance > obedience; submission
9 Spare, gentle sister, with reproach my pain to eke.
gentle > noble eke > augment
306.23
And tell me, if that ye my sonne haue heard,
2 To lurke emongst your Nymphes in secret wize;
Or keepe their cabins: much I am affeard,
4 Least he like one of them him selfe disguize,
And turne his arrowes to their exercize:
6 So may he long himselfe full easie hide:
For he is faire and fresh in face and guize,
8 As any Nymph (let not it be enuyde.)
So saying euery Nymph full narrowly she eyde.
1 "And tell me if that you my son have heard
if that > [whether]
2 To lurk amongst your nymphs in secret wise;
wise > fashion
3 Or keep their cabins: much I am afeard,
keep > remain in afeard > afraid
4 Lest he like one of them himself disguise, 5 And turn his arrows to their exercise:
their exercise > (Either the nymphs' exercise, chasing game, or the arrows' usual exercise, so exciting love among the nymphs)
6 So may he long himself full easy hide:
full easy > very easily
7 For he is fair and fresh in face and guise,
guise > appearance
8 As any nymph (let not it be envied)."
envied > begrudged; hence: gainsaid
9 So saying, every nymph full narrowly she eyed.
narrowly > closely
306.24
But Ph{oe}be therewith sore was angered,
2 And sharply said; Goe Dame, goe seeke your boy,
Where you him lately left, in Mars his bed;
4 He comes not here, we scorne his foolish ioy,
Ne lend we leisure to his idle toy:
6 But if I catch him in this company,
By Stygian lake I vow, whose sad annoy
8 The Gods doe dread, he dearely shall abye:
Ile clip his wanton wings, that he no more shall fly.
1 But Phoebe therewith sore was angered,
therewith > with that
2 And sharply said: "Go, dame, go seek your boy
sharply > (Cf. "shortly" at 306.20:2)
3 Where you him lately left, in Mars his bed;
Mars his > Mars's (Mars is the lover of Venus; see e.g. Odyssey 8)
4 He comes not here, we scorn his foolish joy, 5 Nor lend we leisure to his idle toy:
idle > futile; weak-headed toy > game; amorous game (cf. 101.47:9)
6 But if I catch him in this company, 7 By Stygian lake I vow, whose sad annoy
Stygian lake > (The River Styx, one of the five rivers of hell, over which Charon ferries the souls of the departed, and by which the gods, as here, swear their most solemn oaths: cf. Aen. 6.324-5) sad annoy > grievous vexation
8 The gods do dread, he dearly shall aby:
aby > atone, pay the penalty; suffer
9 I'll clip his wanton wings, that he no more shall fly."
wanton > {Undisciplined; lewd; frisky; cruel; also: luxuriant, rank, profuse in growth} that > [so that]
306.25
Whom when as Venus saw so sore displeased,
2 She inly sory was, and gan relent,
What she had said: so her she soone appeased,
4 With sugred words and gentle blandishment,
+Which as+ a fountaine from her sweet lips went,
6 And welled goodly forth, that in short space
She was well pleasd, and forth her damzels sent,
8 Through all the woods, to search from place to place,
If any tract of him or tydings they mote trace.
5 Which as > From which 1590, 1596; Of which conj. Church
1 Whom when Venus saw so sore displeased, 2 She inly sorry was, and gan relent
inly > inwardly gan > did relent > ?regret (SU: perhaps a misprint or slip of the pen for "repent")
3 What she had said: so her she soon appeased
soon > soon; straight away
4 With sugared words and gentle blandishment,
gentle > courteous, generous; noble; gentle blandishment > cajolery, flattery
5 Which as a fountain from her sweet lips went, 6 And welled goodly forth, that in short space
goodly > beautifully that > [so that] space > time
7 She was well pleased, and forth her damsels sent,
She > [Diana]
8 Through all the woods, to search from place to place, 9 If any tract of him or tidings they might trace.
tract > track, trail might > could
306.26
To search the God of loue, her Nymphes she sent
2 Throughout the wandring forrest euery where:
And after them her selfe eke with her went
4 To seeke the fugitiue, both farre and nere,
So long they sought, till they arriued were
6 In that same shadie couert, whereas lay
Faire Crysogone in slombry traunce whilere:
8 Who in her sleepe (a wondrous thing to say)
Vnwares had borne two babes, as faire as springing day.
1 To search the god of love, her nymphs she sent
search > seek
2 Throughout the wandering forest everywhere: 3 And after them herself eke with her went
eke > moreover
4 To seek the fugitive, both far and near, 5 So long they sought, till they arrived were
So > Thus
6 In that same shady covert where lay 7 Fair Chrysogone in slumbery trance whilere:
slumbery > slumbrous, sleepy whilere > erewhile: a while before
8 Who in her sleep (a wondrous thing to say) 9 Unwares had borne two babes, as fair as springing day.
Unwares > Unwittingly springing > dawning
306.27
Vnwares she them conceiu'd, vnwares she bore:
2 She bore withouten paine, that she conceiued
Withouten pleasure: ne her need implore
4 Lucinaes aide: which when they both perceiued,
They were through wonder nigh of sense bereaued,
6 And gazing each on other, nought bespake:
At last they both agreed, her seeming grieued
8 Out of her heauy swowne not to awake,
But from her louing side the tender babes to take.
1 Unwares she them conceived, unwares she bore: 2 She bore without pain that she conceived
that > [that which]
3 Without pleasure: ne her need implore
ne her need > [nor did she need to]
4 Lucina's aid: which when they both perceived,
Lucina > (The goddess of childbirth; sometimes identified with Juno or Diana)
5 They were through wonder nigh of sense bereaved
bereaved > robbed
6 And, gazing each on other, naught bespoke:
bespoke > spoke
7 At last they both agreed, her (seeming grieved)
grieved > hurt, hence: in pain; and also: grieved
8 Out of her heavy swoon not to awake, 9 But from her loving side the tender babes to take.
306.28
Vp they them tooke, each one a babe vptooke,
2 And with them carried, to be fostered;
Dame +Ph{ae}be+ to a Nymph her babe betooke,
4 To be vpbrought in perfect Maydenhed,
And of her selfe her name Belph{oe}be red:
6 But Venus hers +thence+ farre away conuayd,
To be vpbrought in goodly womanhed,
8 And in her litle loues stead, which was strayd,
Her Amoretta cald, to comfort her dismayd.
3 Ph{ae}be > Ph{oe}be 1609 6 thence > hence 1596, 1609
1 Up they them took, each one a babe uptook,
uptook > took up
2 And with them carried, to be fostered; 3 Dame Phoebe to a nymph her babe betook,
betook > took; committed
4 To be upbrought in perfect maidenhead,
upbrought > brought up perfect > complete, thorough, fully trained maidenhead > virginity
5 And of herself her name, Belphoebe, read;
of > after read > named; hence: gave, bestowed
6 But Venus hers thence far away conveyed, 7 To be upbrought in goodly womanhood, 8 And in her little love's stead, which was strayed,
stead > place
9 Her Amoret called, to comfort her dismayed.
her dismayed > [herself in her unhappiness]
306.29
She brought her to her ioyous Paradize,
2 Where most she wonnes, when she on earth does dwel.
So faire a place, as Nature can deuize:
4 Whether in Paphos, or Cytheron hill,
Or it in +Gnidus+ be, I wote not well;
6 But well I wote by tryall, that this same
All other pleasant places doth excell,
8 And called is by her lost louers name,
The Gardin of Adonis, farre renowmd by fame.
5 Gnidus > Gnidas 1590
1 She brought her to her joyous paradise, 2 Where most she wons when she on earth does dwell.
wons > lives
3 So fair a place as Nature can devise: 4 Whether in Paphos, or Cytheron hill,
Paphos > ("Old Paphos", on the west coast of Cyprus, where, according to some legends, Aphrodite (Venus) is said to have come ashore after her birth in the waves. Centre of her worship, with an important temple dedicated to her: its high priest exercised religious authority over the whole island. In other traditions she is said to have arisen from the sea off Cythera (Cerigo), and is thus sometimes, as at 306.20:1, called Cytherea. "Cytheron hill" follows DGDG 3.22 and Knight's Tale 1936-7 (noted Church (1758)))
5 Or it in Cnidus be, I wot not well;
Cnidus > (A city in Asia Minor, on the coast of Caria, with a temple to Aphrodite containing a famous statue of her by Praxiteles) wot > know
6 But well I wot by trial that this same 7 All other pleasant places does excel,
excel > surpass
8 And called is, by her lost lover's name, 9 The Garden of Adonis, far renowned by fame.
fame > report; reputation
306.30
In that same Gardin all the goodly flowres,
2 Wherewith dame Nature doth her beautifie,
And decks the girlonds of her paramoures,
4 Are fetcht: there is the first seminarie
Of all things, that are borne to liue and die,
6 According to their kindes. Long worke it were,
Here to account the endlesse progenie
8 Of all the weedes, that bud and blossome there;
But so much as doth need, must needs be counted here.
1 In that same garden all the goodly flowers
goodly > beautiful
2 Wherewith Dame Nature does herself beautify,
Wherewith > With which
3 And decks the garlands of her paramours, 4 Are fetched: there is the first seminary
fetched > come by, found; hence: to be found seminary > seedbed
5 Of all things that are born to live and die, 6 According to their kinds. Long work it were
were > [would be]
7 Here to account the endless progeny
account > narrate; render an account of
8 Of all the weeds that bud and blossom there;
weeds > plants (whether herbs, shrubs, or trees)
9 But so much as does need, must needs be counted here.
does need > [is necessary] needs > of necessity counted > related
306.31
It sited was in fruitfull soyle of old,
2 And girt in with two walles on either side;
The one of yron, the other of bright gold,
4 That none might thorough breake, nor ouer-stride:
And double gates it had, which opened wide,
6 By which both in and out men moten pas;
Th'one faire and fresh, the other old and dride:
8 Old Genius the porter of them was,
Old Genius, the which a double nature has.
1 It sited was in fruitful soil of old, 2 And girt in with two walls on either side; 3 The one of iron, the other of bright gold, 4 That none might through break, nor over-stride:
That > [So that]
5 And double gates it had, which opened wide, 6 By which both in and out men might pas;
pas > pass; pace
7 The one fair and fresh, the other old and dried: 8 Old Genius the porter of them was,
Genius > "Guardian Spirit" (Latin: his evil double is described at 212.47 ff.) porter > {Door-keeper; one who has charge of a door or gate}
9 Old Genius, who a double nature has.
306.32
He letteth in, he letteth out to wend,
2 All that to come into the world desire;
A thousand thousand naked babes attend
4 About him day and night, which doe require,
That he with fleshly weedes would them attire:
6 Such as him list, such as eternall fate
Ordained hath, he clothes with sinfull mire,
8 And sendeth forth to liue in mortall state,
Till they againe returne backe by the hinder gate.
1 He lets in, he lets out to wend, 2 All that to come into the world desire; 3 A thousand thousand naked babes attend 4 About him day and night, which do require
require > request; demand; insist
5 That he with fleshly weeds would them attire:
weeds > clothing; hence: fleshly weeds = bodies
6 Such as him list, such as eternal fate
list > pleases; please
7 Ordained has, he clothes with sinful mire,
mire > [clay, flesh (after Gen. 2.7)]
8 And sends forth to live in mortal state, 9 Till they again return back by the hinder gate.
hinder > rear, posterior; also: latter (of the two mentioned in stanza 31, i.e. the gate which is "old and dride")
306.33
After that they againe returned beene,
2 They in that Gardin planted be againe;
And grow +afresh+, as they had neuer seene
4 Fleshly corruption, nor mortall paine.
Some thousand yeares so doen they there +remaine+;
6 And then of him are clad with other hew,
Or sent into the chaungefull world againe,
8 Till thither they returne, where first they grew:
So like a wheele around they runne from old to new.
3 afresh > a fresh 1596 5 remaine > remaire 1596
1 After they again returned been,
been > [are, have]
2 They in that garden planted be again; 3 And grow afresh, as they had never seen
as > [as though]
4 Fleshly corruption, nor mortal pain. 5 Some thousand years so do they there remain;
so > thus
6 And then of him are clad with other hue,
of > by hue > appearance, form
7 Or sent into the changeful world again,
Or > (Possibly a misprint for "And"; for a summary of other explanations, see Hamilton (1980))
8 Till thither they return, where first they grew: 9 So like a wheel around they run from old to new.
306.34
Ne needs there Gardiner to set, or sow,
2 To plant +or+ prune: for of their owne accord
All things, as they created were, doe grow,
4 And yet remember well the mightie word,
Which first was spoken by th'Almightie lord,
6 That bad them to increase and multiply:
Ne doe they need with water of the ford,
8 Or of the clouds to moysten their roots dry;
For in themselues eternall moisture they imply.
2 or > of 1596
1 Neither needs there gardener to set, or sow,
needs there > [is there need of a; is there need of there a]
2 To plant or prune: for of their own accord 3 All things, as they created were, do grow, 4 And yet remember well the mighty word 5 Which first was spoken by the Almighty Lord,
spoken > (Gen. 1.22)
6 That bade them to increase and multiply: 7 Nor do they need with water of the ford,
ford > stream, current
8 Or of the clouds to moisten their roots dry;
roots dry > [dry roots]
9 For in themselves eternal moisture they imply.
imply > enfold; conceal; hence: contain
306.35
Infinite shapes of creatures there are bred,
2 And vncouth formes, which none yet euer knew,
And euery sort is in a sundry bed
4 Set by it selfe, and ranckt in comely rew:
Some fit for reasonable soules t'indew,
6 Some made for beasts, some made for birds to weare,
And all the fruitfull spawne of fishes hew
8 In endlesse rancks along enraunged were,
That seem'd the Ocean could not containe them there.
1 Infinite shapes of creatures there are bred, 2 And uncouth forms, which none yet ever knew,
uncouth > strange, bizarre; unseemly
3 And every sort is in a sundry bed
sundry > separate, distinct
4 Set by itself, and ranked in comely rew:
rew > row
5 Some fit for reasonable souls to endue,
Some > (See 1 Cor. 15.39) reasonable > {Endowed with reason}
6 Some made for beasts, some made for birds to wear, 7 And all the fruitful spawn of fishes' hue
hue > appearance, form
8 In endless ranks along enranged were,
enranged > arranged
9 That seemed the ocean could not contain them there.
That > [So that it] ocean > {The main seas of the world considered as one body of water}
306.36
Daily they grow, and daily forth are sent
2 Into the world, it to replenish more;
Yet is the stocke not lessened, nor spent,
4 But still remaines in euerlasting store,
As it at first created was of yore.
6 For in the wide wombe of the world there lyes,
In hatefull darkenesse and in deepe horrore,
8 An huge eternall Chaos, which supplyes
The substances of natures fruitfull progenyes.
1 Daily they grow, and daily forth are sent 2 Into the world, it to replenish more; 3 Yet is the stock not lessened, nor spent, 4 But still remains in everlasting store,
still > ever, continually
5 As it at first created was of yore.
yore > old
6 For in the wide womb of the world there lies, 7 In hateful darkness and in deep horror, 8 A huge eternal chaos, which supplies
chaos > (The vacant and infinite space which, in the ancient cosmogonies, existed before the creation of the world. Chaos was called the mother of Erebus (Darkness) and Nox (Night). Cf. RR 22, De Rerum Natura 5.259, DGDG 1.2, PL 2.907-20, 204.41:9)
9 The substances of Nature's fruitful progenies.
306.37
All things from thence doe their first being fetch,
2 And borrow matter, whereof they are made,
Which when as forme and feature it does ketch,
4 Becomes a bodie, and doth then inuade
The state of life, out of the griesly shade.
6 That substance is eterne, and bideth so,
Ne when the life decayes, and forme does fade,
8 Doth it consume, and into nothing go,
But chaunged is, and often altred to and fro.
1 All things from thence do their first being fetch, 2 And borrow matter whereof they are made,
whereof > of which
3 Which, when form and feature it does catch, 4 Becomes a body, and does then invade
invade > enter (SUS); intrude upon
5 The state of life, out of the grisly shade.
grisly > horrible, fearsome
6 That substance is eterne, and bides so,
eterne > eternal bides > remains
7 Nor when the life decays, and form does fade, 8 Does it consume, and into nothing go,
consume > waste away
9 But changed is, and often altered to and fro.
306.38
The substance is not chaunged, nor altered,
2 But th'only forme and outward fashion;
For euery substance is conditioned
4 To change her hew, and sundry formes to don,
Meet for her temper and complexion:
6 For formes are variable and decay,
By course of kind, and by occasion;
8 And that faire flowre of beautie fades away,
As doth the lilly fresh before the sunny ray.
1 The substance is not changed, nor altered, 2 But the only form and outward fashion;
the only > [only the] fashion > {Appearance; form as opposed to matter}
3 For every substance is conditioned 4 To change its hue, and sundry forms to don,
hue > appearance, form
5 Meet for its temper and complexion:
Meet > Suitable temper > {Character, quality; temperament, i.e. the combination of bodily "humours"} complexion > {Nature; bodily or mental habit; temperament}
6 For forms are variable and decay, 7 By course of kind, and by occasion;
kind > nature occasion > necessity; course of events, force of circumstance
8 And that fair flower of beauty fades away, 9 As does the lily fresh before the sunny ray.
306.39
Great enimy to it, and +to+ all the rest,
2 That in the Gardin of Adonis springs,
Is wicked Time, who with his scyth addrest,
4 Does mow the flowring herbes and goodly things,
And all their glory to the ground downe flings,
6 Where they doe wither, and are fowly mard:
He flyes about, and with his flaggy wings
8 Beates downe both leaues and buds without regard,
Ne euer pittie may relent his malice hard.
1 to > omitted from 1611, for the sake of the metre
1 Great enemy to it (and to all the rest, 2 That in the Garden of Adonis springs)
springs > grows
3 Is wicked Time, who, with his scythe addressed,
addressed > armed, equipped
4 Does mow the flowering herbs and goodly things,
goodly > beautiful
5 And all their glory to the ground down-flings, 6 Where they do wither, and are foully marred:
marred > spoiled; debased; ruined
7 He flies about, and with his flaggy wings
flaggy > drooping
8 Beats down both leaves and buds without regard, 9 Ne ever pity may relent his malice hard.
Ne ever > Nor ever; never may > can relent > soften, cause to relent
306.40
Yet pittie often did the gods relent,
2 To see so faire things mard, and spoyled quight:
And their great mother Venus did lament
4 The losse of her deare brood, her deare delight;
Her hart was pierst with pittie at the sight,
6 When walking through the Gardin, them she +spyde+,
Yet no'te she find redresse for such despight.
8 For all that liues, is subiect to that law:
All things decay in time, and to their end do draw.
6 spyde > saw sugg. various editors
1 Yet pity often did the gods relent,
relent > soften, cause to relent
2 To see so fair things marred, and spoiled quite:
so > such marred > debased
3 And their great mother Venus did lament 4 The loss of her dear brood, her dear delight; 5 Her heart was pierced with pity at the sight 6 When, walking through the Garden, them she spied, 7 Yet no'te she find redress for such despite.
no'te she > she could not despite > outrage; malice, maliciousness
8 For all that lives is subject to that law: 9 All things decay in time, and to their end do draw.
306.41
But were it not, that Time their troubler is,
2 All that in this delightfull Gardin growes,
Should happie be, and haue immortall blis:
4 For here all plentie, and all pleasure flowes,
And sweet loue gentle fits emongst them throwes,
6 Without fell rancor, or fond gealosie;
Franckly each paramour his leman knowes,
8 Each bird his mate, ne any does enuie
Their goodly meriment, and gay felicitie.
1 But were it not that Time their troubler is, 2 All that in this delightful garden grows 3 Should happy be, and have immortal bliss:
happy > happy; fortunate
4 For here all plenty, and all pleasure flow, 5 And sweet Love gentle fits amongst them throws, 6 Without fell rancour, or fond jealousy;
fell > fierce fond > foolish
7 Frankly each paramour his leman knows,
Frankly > Freely leman > lover knows > {In the Hebrew sense: has carnal knowledge of}
8 Each bird his mate, nor any does envy
Each > [And each] envy > begrudge
9 Their goodly merriment, and gay felicity.
merriment > entertainment
306.42
There is continuall spring, and haruest there
2 Continuall, both meeting at one time:
For both the boughes doe laughing blossomes beare,
4 And with fresh colours decke the wanton Prime,
And eke attonce the +heauy+ trees they clime,
6 Which seeme to labour vnder their fruits lode:
The whiles the ioyous birdes make their pastime
8 Emongst the shadie leaues, their sweet abode,
And their true loues without suspition tell abrode.
5 heauy > heauenly 1590
1 There is continual spring, and harvest there
harvest > autumn; harvest-time
2 Continual, both meeting at one time: 3 For both the boughs do laughing blossoms bear,
the boughs do > [do the boughs]
4 And with fresh colours deck the wanton prime,
wanton > rank, luxuriant, hence: abundant; undisciplined, unchaste prime > springtime
5 And eke at once the heavy trees they climb,
eke > also at once > simultaneously, together heavy > (See Textual Appendix) they > (An ambiguous pronoun. Refers perhaps to all the creatures in the garden, or just to the birds. Most likely it is redundant (i.e. it is the trees which climb), the word being included only for the sake of the metre)
6 Which seem to labour under their fruits' load: 7 The whiles the joyous birds make their pastime
The whiles > Meanwhile
8 Amongst the shady leaves, their sweet abode, 9 And their true loves without suspicion tell abroad.
tell > [sing]
306.43
Right in the middest of that Paradise,
2 There stood a stately Mount, on whose round top
A gloomy groue of mirtle trees did rise,
4 Whose shadie boughes sharpe steele did neuer lop,
Nor wicked beasts their tender buds did crop,
6 But like a girlond compassed the hight,
And from their fruitfull sides sweet gum did drop,
8 That all the ground with precious deaw bedight,
Threw forth most dainty odours, and most sweet delight.
1 Right in the middest of that paradise
middest > middle
2 There stood a stately mount, on whose round top 3 A gloomy grove of myrtle trees did rise,
myrtle > (Held sacred to Venus, and used as an emblem of love)
4 Whose shady boughs sharp steel did never lop, 5 Nor wicked beasts their tender buds did crop, 6 But like a garland compassed the height,
compassed > encircled, enclosed height > summit
7 And from their fruitful sides sweet gum did drop, 8 That all the ground with precious dew bedight,
That > (Marks the start of an ambiguous construction, the alter- native readings being (1) "[So] that all the ground, with precious dew bedight, Threw forth …" and (2) "That all the ground with precious dew bedight, [And] threw …") bedight > adorned, arrayed
9 Threw forth most dainty odours, and most sweet delight.
dainty > delightful
306.44
And in the thickest couert of that shade,
2 There was a pleasant arbour, not by art,
But of the trees owne inclination made,
4 Which knitting their rancke braunches part to part,
With wanton yuie twyne entrayld athwart,
6 And Eglantine, and Caprifole emong,
Fashiond aboue within their inmost part,
8 That nether Ph{oe}bus beams could through them throng,
Nor Aeolus sharp blast could worke them any wrong.
1 And in the thickest covert of that shade 2 There was a pleasant arbour, not by art, 3 But of the trees' own inclination made,
of > by inclination > (Lit. and fig.)
4 Which, knitting their rank branches part to part, 5 With wanton ivy twine entrailed athwart,
wanton > rank, luxuriant (cf. 205.29:2-4) entrailed > entwined (formed on OFr treille, trellis)
6 And eglantine, and caprifoil among,
eglantine > sweetbrier (Rosa rubiginosa) caprifoil > honeysuckle
7 Fashioned above within their inmost part, 8 That neither Phoebus' beams could through them throng,
That > [So that] throng > force their way
9 Nor Aeolus' sharp blast could work them any wrong.
work > do, cause
306.45
And all about grew euery sort of flowre,
2 To which sad louers were transformd of yore;
Fresh Hyacinthus, Ph{oe}bus paramoure,
4
Foolish Narcisse, that likes the watry shore,
6 Sad Amaranthus, made a flowre but late,
Sad Amaranthus, in whose purple gore
8 Me seemes I see Amintas wretched fate,
To whom sweet Poets verse hath giuen endlesse date.
4 > this line was added in 1609: And dearest loue,
1 And all about grew every sort of flower, 2 To which sad lovers were transformed of yore:
of yore > in former times
3 Fresh Hyacinth, Phoebus' paramour,
Hyacinth > (The lily, which sprang from the blood of the beautiful youth Hyacinth, son of the Spartan king Amyclas. Hyacinth received the attentions of Apollo and Zephyr, god of the west wind; Zephyr's interest was not reciprocated. One day, when Apollo and Hyacinth were playing at quoits, the jealous Zephyr caused one of Apollo's quoits to drift in flight and strike Hyacinth on the head, killing him instantly. See Met. 10.162- 219)
4 And dearest love; 5 Foolish Narcissus, that likes the watery shore;
Narcissus > (A beautiful youth who became so enamoured of his own reflection in a pool that he gradually pined away and was metamorphosed into a flower; see Met. 3.339-510, DGDG 4.9-10, 302.44:6-45:4)
6 Sad Amarant, made a flower but late,
Amarant > (An imaginary flower that never withers (Greek amarantos, unfading); cf. PL 3.353. The name is applied to the genus Amaranthus, with coloured foliage, which includes Love-lies- bleeding, A. caudatus) late > lately
7 Sad Amarant, in whose purple gore
purple > red, blood-red
8 Me seems I see Amintas' wretched fate,
Me seems > [It seems to me]
Amintas > (Perhaps an allusion to Sir Philip Sidney; cf. CC 434-9)
9 To whom sweet poets' verse has given endless date.
verse > (E.g. "Astrophel", by Spenser; "The Doleful Lay of Clarinda", probably by Sidney's sister, Mary, Countess of Pembroke, and other elegies to Sidney) date > term, span of life; hence: endless date = immortality
306.46
There wont faire Venus often to enioy
2 Her deare Adonis ioyous company,
And reape sweet pleasure of the wanton boy;
4 There yet, some say, in secret he does ly,
Lapped in flowres and pretious spycery,
6 By her hid from the world, and from the skill
Of Stygian Gods, which doe her loue enuy;
8 But she her selfe, when euer that she will,
Possesseth him, and of his sweetnesse takes her fill.
1 There wont fair Venus often to enjoy
wont > was accustomed
2 Her dear Adonis' joyous company,
company > sexual company
3 And reap sweet pleasure of the wanton boy; 4 There yet, some say, in secret he does lie, 5 Lapped in flowers and precious spicery,
Lapped > Enfolded, swathed spicery > spices
6 By her hid from the world, and from the skill
skill > knowledge; skill (i.e. in dealing death)
7 Of Stygian gods, which do her love envy;
Stygian > {Pertaining to the River Styx, one of the five rivers of hell, over which Charon ferries the souls of the departed; used also as a synonym for "infernal", "hellish"} envy > begrudge, resent
8 But she herself, whenever she will, 9 Possesses him, and of his sweetness takes her fill.
306.47
And sooth it seemes they say: for he may not
2 For euer die, and euer buried bee
In balefull night, where all things are forgot;
4 All be he subiect to mortalitie,
Yet is eterne in mutabilitie,
6 And by succession made perpetuall,
Transformed oft, and chaunged diuerslie:
8 For him the Father of all formes they call;
Therefore needs mote he liue, that liuing giues to all.
1 And sooth it seems they say: for he may not
sooth > truly, truthfully say > speak may not > cannot
2 For ever die, and ever buried be 3 In baleful night, where all things are forgotten;
baleful > deadly, miserable
4 All be he subject to mortality,
All > Although
5 Yet is eterne in mutability,
is eterne > [he is eternal]
6 And by succession made perpetual, 7 Transformed oft, and changed diversely: 8 For him the father of all forms they call; 9 Therefore needs might he live, that living gives to all.
needs might he live > [it is necessary that he shall live]
306.48
There now he liueth in eternall blis,
2 Ioying his goddesse, and of her enioyd:
Ne feareth he henceforth that foe of his,
4 Which with his cruell tuske him deadly cloyd:
For that wilde Bore, the which him once annoyd,
6 She firmely hath emprisoned for ay,
That her sweet loue his malice mote auoyd,
8 In a strong rocky Caue, which is they say,
Hewen vnderneath that Mount, that none him +losen+ may.
9 losen > loosen 1609
1 There now he lives in eternal bliss, 2 Joying his goddess, and of her enjoyed:
Joying > Enjoying of > by
3 Nor fears he henceforth that foe of his,
that foe of his > (The boar which killed him; see note at 306.0)
4 Which with its cruel tusk him deadly cloyed:
deadly > mortally cloyed > pierced, spiked, hence: gored; or, perhaps: nauseated, wearied (consonant with the allegorical import of Adonis's death)
5 For that wild boar, which him once annoyed,
annoyed > molested, injured
6 She firmly has imprisoned for ay,
ay > ever
7 That her sweet love its malice might avoid,
That > [So that]
8 In a strong rocky cave, which is, they say, 9 Hewn underneath that mount, that none it loosen may.
that mount > (Referred to at 306.43:2) that > [so that] loosen > undo, untie; hence: set free
306.49
There now he liues in euerlasting ioy,
2 With many of the Gods in company,
Which thither haunt, and with the winged boy
4 Sporting himselfe in safe felicity:
Who when he hath with spoiles and cruelty
6 Ransackt the world, and in the wofull harts
Of many wretches set his triumphes hye,
8 Thither resorts, and laying his sad darts
Aside, with faire Adonis playes his wanton parts.
1 There now he lives in everlasting joy, 2 With many of the gods in company, 3 Which thither haunt, and with the winged boy
haunt > resort the winged boy > [Cupid]
4 Sporting himself in safe felicity: 5 Who, when he has with spoils and cruelty
Who > [Cupid]
6 Ransacked the world, and in the woeful hearts 7 Of many wretches set his triumphs high,
triumphs > (The word "triumph" is cognate with the Greek triambos, meaning a hymn to Bacchus, the god of wine, associated with madness and frenzy. Bacchus compelled the women of Thebes to celebrate festivals to him on Mount Cytheron (see 306.29:4); perhaps this connexion was in Spenser's mind)
8 Thither resorts, and laying his sad darts
sad darts > grievous arrows
9 Aside, with fair Adonis plays his wanton parts.
306.50
And his true loue faire Psyche with him playes,
2 Faire Psyche to him lately reconcyld,
After long troubles and vnmeet vpbrayes,
4 With which his mother Venus her reuyld,
And eke himselfe her cruelly exyld:
6 But now in stedfast loue and happy state
She with him liues, and hath him borne a chyld,
8 Pleasure, that doth both gods and men aggrate,
Pleasure, the daughter of Cupid and Psyche late.
1 And his true love, fair Psyche, with him plays,
Psyche > ("The Soul"; her allegorical story is told in The Golden
Ass by Apuleius)
2 Fair Psyche, to him lately reconciled 3 After long troubles and unmeet upbrays,
unmeet > unfitting; hence: unfair, unreasonable upbrays > reproaches, reproofs
4 With which his mother, Venus, her reviled, 5 And eke himself her cruelly exiled:
eke > also
6 But now in steadfast love and happy state 7 She with him lives, and has him borne a child, 8 Pleasure, that does both gods and men aggrate,
Pleasure > (Volupia or Voluptas, the personification of sensual pleasure) aggrate > please; gratify (SUS)
9 Pleasure, the daughter of Cupid and Psyche late.
late > late (i.e. recently deceased, qualifying "Psyche"); recent (qualifying "daughter")
306.51
Hither great Venus brought this infant faire,
2 The younger daughter of Chrysogonee,
And vnto Psyche with great trust and care
4 Committed her, yfostered to bee,
And trained vp in true feminitee:
6 Who no lesse carefully her tendered,
Then her owne daughter Pleasure, to whom shee
8 Made her companion, and her lessoned
In all the lore of loue, and goodly womanhead.
1 Hither great Venus brought this infant fair, 2 The younger daughter of Chrysogone, 3 And to Psyche with great trust and care 4 Committed her, fostered to be, 5 And trained up in true feminity:
feminity > femininity
6 Who no less carefully her tendered
tendered > {Treated with proper regard}
7 Than her own daughter Pleasure, to whom she 8 Made her companion, and her lessoned
lessoned > instructed
9 In all the lore of love, and goodly womanhood.
lore > teaching, doctrine
306.52
In which when she to perfect ripenesse grew,
2 Of grace and beautie noble Paragone,
She brought her forth into the worldes vew,
4 To be th'ensample of true loue alone,
And Lodestarre of all chaste affectione,
6 To all faire Ladies, that doe liue on ground.
To Faery court she came, where many one
8 Admyrd her goodly haueour, and found
His feeble hart wide +launched+ with loues cruell wound.
9 launched > launch 1590; launced 1609
1 In which when she to perfect ripeness grew, 2 Of grace and beauty noble paragon, 3 She brought her forth into the world's view, 4 To be the example of true love alone,
example > model, pattern
5 And lodestar of all chaste affection, 6 To all fair ladies, that do live on ground.
on ground > in the world
7 To Faery court she came, where many one 8 Admired her goodly haviour, and found
goodly > beautiful haviour > deportment, bearing; behaviour
9 His feeble heart wide lanced with love's cruel wound.
306.53
But she to none of them her loue did cast,
2 Saue to the noble knight Sir Scudamore,
To whom her louing hart she linked fast
4 In +faithfull+ loue, t'abide for euermore,
And for his dearest sake endured sore,
6 Sore trouble of an hainous enimy;
Who her would forced haue to haue forlore
8 Her former loue, and stedfast loialty,
As ye may elsewhere read that ruefull history.
4 faithfull > fathfull 1596
1 But she to none of them her love did cast,
to > [on] cast > confer
2 Save to the noble knight Sir Scudamour,
to > [on] Scudamour > "Shield of Love" (French, {e/}cu d'amour)
3 To whom her loving heart she linked fast
fast > firmly; very closely
4 In faithful love, to abide for evermore, 5 And for his dearest sake endured sore, 6 Sore trouble of a heinous enemy; 7 Who her would forced have to have forlore
forlore > forsaken
8 Her former love, and steadfast loyalty, 9 As you may elsewhere read that rueful history.
elsewhere > (311.16 ff.) history > story
306.54
But well I weene, ye first desire to learne,
2 What end vnto that fearefull Damozell,
Which fled so fast from that same foster stearne,
4 Whom with his brethren Timias slew, befell:
That was to weet, the goodly Florimell;
6 Who wandring for to seeke her louer deare,
Her louer deare, her dearest Marinell,
8 Into misfortune fell, as ye did heare,
And from Prince Arthur fled with wings of idle feare.
1 But well I ween, you first desire to learn
ween > believe, suppose
2 What end that fearful damsel, 3 Who fled so fast from that same foster stern
foster > forester stern > grim; fierce; cruel
4 (Whom, with his brethren, Timias slew), befell:
brethren > brothers
5 That was, to weet, the goodly Florimell
to weet > to know, to wit goodly > beautiful
6 Who, wandering to seek her lover dear, 7 Her lover dear, her dearest Marinell, 8 Into misfortune fell, as you did hear, 9 And from Prince Arthur fled with wings of idle fear.
idle > foolish (see 304.48 ff.)