2 Does overspread his long brass-scaly back, 3 Whose wreathed boughts whenever he unfolds,
boughts > coils
4 And thick entangled knots adown does slack,
adown > down
5 Bespotted as with shields of red and black,
Bespotted > {Spotted all over; the prefix is intensive}
6 It sweeps all the land behind him far, 7 And of three furlongs does but little lack;
furlong > {An eighth of a mile, 220 yards, about 201 metres}
8 And at the point two stings infixed are, 9 Both deadly sharp, that sharpest steel exceed far.
sharpest steel exceed > [exceed sharpest steel in sharpness]
111.12
But stings and sharpest steele did far exceed
2 The sharpnesse of his cruell rending clawes;
Dead was it sure, as sure as death in deed,
4 What euer thing does touch his rauenous pawes,
Or what within his reach he euer drawes.
6 But his most hideous head my toung to +tell,+
Does tremble: for his deepe deuouring iawes
8 Wide gaped, like the griesly mouth of hell,
Through which into his darke abisse all rauin fell.
6 tell, > tell 1609
1 But stings and sharpest steel did far exceed
did far exceed > [were far exceeded by]
2 The sharpness of his cruel rending claws; 3 Dead was it sure, as sure as death indeed, 4 Whatever thing does touch his ravenous paws, 5 Or what within his reach he ever draws. 6 But his most hideous head my tongue to tell
hideous > immense; odious; hideous tell > describe
7 Does tremble: for his deep devouring jaws 8 Wide gaped, like the grisly mouth of hell,
grisly > horrible, fearsome
9 Through which into his dark abyss all ravin fell.
abyss > abyss; infernal region ravin > plunder, prey
111.13
And that more wondrous was, in either iaw
2 Three ranckes of yron teeth enraunged were,
In which yet trickling bloud and gobbets raw
4 Of late deuoured bodies did appeare,
That sight thereof bred cold congealed feare:
6 Which to increase, and all atonce to kill,
A cloud of smoothering smoke and sulphur seare
8 Out of his stinking gorge forth steemed still,
That all the ayre about with smoke and stench did fill.
1 And, that more wondrous was, in either jaw 2 Three ranks of iron teeth enranged were,
enranged > arranged
3 In which yet-trickling blood and gobbets raw
gobbets > {Lumps of raw or semi-digested flesh or food}
4 Of late devoured bodies did appear,
late > recently
5 That sight thereof bred cold congealed fear:
That > [So that] congealed > frozen
6 Which to increase, and all at once to kill,
at once > at one time; hence: at a stroke
7 A cloud of smothering smoke and sulphur sere
sere > yellow; or perhaps: searing
8 Out of his stinking gorge forth steamed still,
gorge > throat; maw still > continually
9 That all the air about with smoke and stench did fill.
111.14
His blazing eyes, like two bright shining shields,
2 Did burne with wrath, and sparkled liuing fyre;
As two broad Beacons, set in open fields,
4 Send forth their flames farre off to euery shyre,
And warning giue, that enemies conspyre,
6 With fire and sword the region to inuade;
So flam'd his eyne with rage and rancorous yre:
8 But farre within, as in a hollow glade,
Those glaring lampes were set, that made a dreadfull shade.
1 His blazing eyes, like two bright shining shields, 2 Did burn with wrath, and sparkled living fire; 3 As two broad beacons, set in open fields, 4 Send forth their flames far off to every shire,
shire > county (perhaps a topical simile, alluding to the chain of beacon-fires set up along the English cliffs to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada, lit on 29 July 1588)
5 And warning give that enemies conspire 6 With fire and sword the region to invade; 7 So flamed his eyes with rage and rancorous ire: 8 But far within, as in a hollow glade, 9 Those glaring lamps were set that made a dreadful shade.
111.15
So dreadfully he towards him did pas,
2 Forelifting vp aloft his speckled brest,
And often bounding on the brused gras,
4 As for great ioyance of his newcome guest.
Eftsoones he gan aduance his haughtie crest,
6 As chauffed Bore his bristles doth vpreare,
And shoke his scales to battell readie drest;
8 That made the Redcrosse knight nigh quake for feare,
As bidding bold defiance to his foeman neare.
1 So dreadfully he towards him did pas,
pas > pace; pass
2 Forelifting up aloft his speckled breast,
Forelifting up > [Lifting up before, lifting up in front]
3 And often bounding on the bruised grass, 4 As for great joyance of his new-come guest.
As > [As though] joyance of > delight in; hence: delight in the arrival of
5 Eftsoons he gan advance his haughty crest,
Eftsoons > Thereupon gan > did haughty > arrogant; high, imposing
6 As chafed boar his bristles does uprear,
chafed > enraged; fretting
7 And shook his scales to battle ready dressed;
dressed > arrayed
8 That made the Redcross Knight nigh quake for fear, 9 As bidding bold defiance to his foeman near.
bidding > offering, proclaiming, threatening foeman > foe, enemy, enemy in war
111.16
The knight gan fairely couch his steadie speare,
2 And fiercely ran at him with rigorous might:
The pointed steele arriuing rudely theare,
4 His harder hide would neither perce, nor bight,
But glauncing by forth passed forward right;
6 Yet sore amoued with so puissant push,
The wrathfull beast about him turned light,
8 And him so rudely passing by, did brush
With his long tayle, that horse and man to ground did rush.
1 The knight gan fairly couch his steady spear,
gan fairly > did expertly couch > {Place it in its rest and hold it ready for attack}
2 And fiercely ran at him with rigorous might: 3 The pointed steel, arriving rudely there,
rudely > violently; roughly
4 His harder hide would neither pierce nor bite,
harder > too-hard; or: harder [than the spear]
5 But, glancing by, forth passed forward right;
glancing > darting, shooting (esp. obliquely)
6 Yet, sore moved with so puissant push,
puissant > powerful [a]
7 The wrathful beast about him turned light,
light > at once; nimbly, quickly
8 And him so rudely passing by, did brush 9 With his long tail, that horse and man to ground did rush.
111.17
Both horse and man vp lightly rose againe,
2 And fresh encounter towards him addrest:
But th'idle stroke yet backe recoyld in vaine,
4 And found no place his deadly point to rest.
Exceeding rage enflam'd the furious beast,
6 To be auenged of so great despight;
For neuer felt his imperceable brest
8 So wondrous force, from hand of liuing wight;
Yet had he prou'd the powre of many a puissant knight.
1 Both horse and man up lightly rose again,
lightly > immediately; easily
2 And fresh encounter towards him addressed: 3 But the idle stroke yet back recoiled in vain,
idle > futile
4 And found no place its deadly point to rest. 5 Exceeding rage inflamed the furious beast, 6 To be avenged of so great despite;
so > such a despite > outrage; act of defiance
7 For never felt his impierceable breast
impierceable > {Not pierceable}
8 So wondrous force from hand of living wight;
So > Such wight > being, person, mortal
9 Yet had he proved the power of many a puissant knight.
proved > tested puissant > powerful
111.18
Then with his wauing wings displayed wyde,
2 Himselfe vp high he lifted from the ground,
And with strong flight did forcibly diuide
4 The yielding aire, which nigh too feeble found
Her flitting partes, and element +vnsound+,
6 To beare so great a weight: he cutting way
With his broad sayles, about him soared round:
8 At last low stouping with vnweldie sway,
Snatcht vp both horse and man, to beare them quite away.
5 vnsound > vnfound 1596
1 Then, with his waving wings displayed wide,
displayed > spread, spread out
2 Himself up high he lifted from the ground, 3 And with strong flight did forcibly divide 4 The yielding air, which nigh too feeble found 5 Her flitting parts and element unsound,
flitting > unsubstantial; yielding (cf. 104.5:5, 208.2:4) unsound > unsubstantial
6 To bear so great a weight: he, cutting way 7 With his broad sails, about him soared round:
sails > wings (of a hawk)
8 At last, low stooping with unwieldy sway,
stooping > swooping (as a hawk on its prey) sway > momentum, swing; sweep; force
9 Snatched up both horse and man, to bear them quite away.
111.19
Long he them bore aboue the subiect plaine,
2 So farre as Ewghen bow a shaft may send,
Till struggling strong did him at last constraine,
4 To let them downe before his flightes end:
As hagard hauke presuming to contend
6 With hardie fowle, aboue his hable might,
His wearie pounces all in vaine doth spend,
8 To trusse the pray too heauie for his flight;
Which comming downe to ground, does free it selfe by fight.
1 Long he them bore above the subject plain,
subject > {Subjacent, lying below}
2 So far as yewen bow a shaft may send,
yewen > {Made of yew, the traditional wood for longbows}
3 Till struggling strong did him at last constrain 4 To let them down before his flight's end: 5 As haggard hawk, presuming to contend
haggard > untamed; wild (used of a hawk caught as an adult)
6 With hardy fowl, above its able might,
able might > strength, capabilities
7 Its weary pounces all in vain does spend
pounces > claws, talons
8 To truss the prey too heavy for its flight;
truss > {Seize in the talons, usually in mid air, and carry off; used of birds of prey}
9 Which, coming down to ground, does free itself by fight.
111.20
He so disseized of his gryping grosse,
2 The knight his thrillant speare againe assayd
In his bras-plated body to embosse,
4 And three mens strength vnto the stroke he layd;
Wherewith the stiffe beame quaked, as affrayd,
6 And glauncing from his scaly necke, did glyde
Close vnder his left wing, then broad displayd.
8 The percing steele there wrought a wound full wyde,
That with the vncouth smart the Monster lowdly cryde.
1 He so disseized of his gripping gross,
so disseized > thus dispossessed gripping gross > heavy grasping; gripped load; strong hold; clumsy hold; or perhaps an amalgam of these ideas, as: heavy and strongly gripped load
2 The knight his thrilling spear again essayed
thrilling > piercing essayed > attempted
3 In his brass-plated body to emboss,
emboss > encase; hence: bury
4 And three men's strength to the stroke he laid; 5 Wherewith the stiff beam quaked as afraid,
Wherewith > With which beam > shaft as > [as though]
6 And glancing from his scaly neck did glide
glancing > darting, shooting (esp. obliquely)
7 Close under his left wing, then broad displayed.
displayed > spread, spread out
8 The piercing steel there wrought a wound full wide,
full > exceedingly
9 That with the uncouth smart the monster loudly cried.
That > [So that] uncouth > strange, unusual smart > acute pain
111.21
He cryde, as raging seas are wont to rore,
2 When wintry storme his wrathfull wreck does threat,
The rolling billowes beat the ragged shore,
4 As they the earth would shoulder from her seat,
And greedie gulfe does gape, as he would eat
6 His neighbour element in his reuenge:
Then gin the blustring brethren boldly threat,
8 To moue the world from off his stedfast henge,
And boystrous battell make, each other to auenge.
1 He cried, as raging seas are wont to roar
wont > accustomed
2 When wintry storm its wrathful wreck does threaten;
wreck > destruction, overthrow of order
3 The rolling billows beat the ragged shore, 4 As they the earth would shoulder from her seat,
As > [As though]
5 And greedy gulf does gape, as it would eat
gulf > depths; abyss; also: chasm, ravine; perhaps: throat [?the hollow beneath a comber on the point of breaking] as > [as though]
6 Its neighbour element in its revenge:
neighbour element > (Earth and Water being two of the four elements of ancient philosophy, the others being Air and Fire)
7 Then gin the blustering brethren boldly threat
gin > do brethren > [brother waves] threat > threaten
8 To move the world from off its steadfast hinge,
hinge > axis
9 And boisterous battle make, each other to avenge.
boisterous > violently fierce, truculent, boisterous
111.22
The steely head stucke fast still in his flesh,
2 Till with his cruell clawes he snatcht the wood,
And quite a sunder broke. Forth flowed fresh
4 A gushing riuer of blacke goarie blood,
That drowned all the land, whereon he stood;
6 The streame thereof would driue a water-mill.
Trebly augmented was his furious mood
8 With bitter sense of his deepe rooted ill,
That flames of fire he threw forth from his large nosethrill.
1 The steely head stuck fast still in his flesh,
fast > firmly
2 Till with his cruel claws he snatched the wood, 3 And quite asunder broke. Forth flowed fresh 4 A gushing river of black gory blood, 5 That drowned all the land whereon he stood; 6 The stream thereof would drive a water-mill. 7 Trebly augmented was his furious mood 8 With bitter sense of his deep-rooted ill,
sense > sensation, awareness ill > injury; distress; also: wickedness
9 That flames of fire he threw forth from his large nostril.
That > [So that]
111.23
His hideous tayle then hurled he about,
2 And therewith all enwrapt the nimble thyes
Of his froth-fomy steed, whose courage stout
4 Striuing to loose the knot, that fast him tyes,
Himselfe in streighter bandes too rash implyes,
6 That to the ground he is perforce constraynd
To throw his rider: who can quickly ryse
8 From off the earth, with durty bloud distaynd,
For that reprochfull fall right fowly he disdaynd.
1 His hideous tail then hurled he about,
hideous > terrific; immense hurled > whirled; drove with force
2 And therewith all enwrapped the nimble thighs
therewith > with that [with his tail]
3 Of his froth-foamy steed, whose courage stout,
his > [the knight's] stout > proud; fierce; bold
4 Striving to loose the knot that fast him ties,
fast > firmly
5 Himself in straiter bonds too rash implies,
Himself > (The horse; allegorically, the knight also: cf. e.g. 102.8:4) straiter > stricter, tighter, more confining rash > hastily; suddenly implies > enfolds, entangles
6 That to the ground he is perforce constrained
That > [So that] perforce > by force; perforce
7 To throw his rider: who can quickly rise
can > did
8 From off the earth, with dirty blood distained;
distained > stained; defiled, sullied
9 For that reproachful fall right foully he disdained.
reproachful > shameful (of the ignoble means whereby it was brought about) he disdained > he disdained; moved him to anger; moved him to indignation
111.24
And fiercely tooke his trenchand blade in hand,
2 With which he stroke so furious and so fell,
That nothing seemd the puissance could withstand:
4 Vpon his crest the hardned yron fell,
But his more hardned crest was armd so well,
6 That deeper dint therein it would not make;
Yet so extremely did the buffe him quell,
8 That from thenceforth he shund the like to take,
But when he saw them come, he did them still forsake.
1 And fiercely took his trenchant blade in hand,
trenchant > sharp
2 With which he struck so furious and so fell,
fell > fierce, fiercely
3 That nothing seemed the puissance could withstand:
nothing seemed > [it seemed nothing] puissance > power, strength
4 Upon his crest the hardened iron fell, 5 But his more hardened crest was armed so well 6 That deeper dint therein it would not make;
dint > dent; hence: cut
7 Yet so extremely did the buff him quell,
buff > blow, buffet quell > subdue
8 That from thenceforth he shunned the like to take, 9 But when he saw them come he did them still forsake.
still forsake > invariably withdraw from
111.25
The knight was +wrath+ to see his stroke beguyld,
2 And smote againe with more outrageous might;
But backe againe the sparckling steele recoyld,
4 And left not any marke, where it did light;
As if in Adamant rocke it had bene pight.
6 The beast impatient of his smarting wound,
And of so fierce and forcible despight,
8 Thought with his wings to stye aboue the ground;
But his late wounded wing vnseruiceable found.
1 wrath > wroth 1590, 1609
1 The knight was wroth to see his stroke beguiled,
beguiled > foiled
2 And smote again with more outrageous might;
outrageous > fierce, violent
3 But back again the sparkling steel recoiled, 4 And left not any mark where it did light;
light > strike; fall, alight
5 As if in adamant rock it had been pight.
pight > pitched, placed; hence: struck
6 The beast, impatient of his smarting wound
impatient > intolerant, unable to bear the agony smarting > acutely painful
7 And of so fierce and forcible despite,
so > such forcible > strong; unavoidable despite > anger; injury; defiance
8 Thought with his wings to sty above the ground;
sty > rise
9 But his late wounded wing unserviceable found.
late > lately
111.26
Then full of griefe and anguish vehement,
2 He lowdly brayd, that like was neuer heard,
And from his wide deuouring ouen sent
4 A flake of fire, that flashing in his beard,
Him all amazd, and almost made affeard:
6 The scorching flame sore +swinged+ all his face,
And through his armour all his bodie seard,
8 That he could not endure so cruell cace,
But thought his armes to leaue, and helmet to vnlace.
6 swinged > singed 1609
1 Then, full of grief and anguish vehement,
grief > pain
2 He loudly brayed, that like was never heard,
brayed > cried out that > [such that the]
3 And from his wide devouring oven sent 4 A flake of fire that, flashing in his beard,
flake > {Flash; fragment of burning matter} his > [the knight's]
5 Him all amazed, and almost made afeard:
amazed > confused, confounded; overwhelmed almost > for the most part afeard > frightened
6 The scorching flame sore swinged all his face,
swinged > singed
7 And through his armour all his body seared, 8 That he could not endure so cruel case,
That > [So that] case > [a] plight; also, punningly: case, enclosure
9 But thought his arms to leave, and helmet to unlace.
arms > {Weapons, shield and armour}
111.27
Not that great Champion of the antique world,
2 Whom famous Poetes verse so much doth +vaunt+,
And hath for twelue huge labours high extold,
4 So many furies and sharpe fits did haunt,
When him the poysoned garment did enchaunt
6 With Centaures bloud, and bloudie verses charm'd,
As did this knight twelue thousand dolours daunt,
8 Whom fyrie steele now burnt, that earst him arm'd,
That erst him goodly arm'd, now most of all him harm'd.
2 vaunt > daunt 1596, 1609
1 Not that great champion of the antique world
champion > (Hercules) antique > ancient
2 (Whom famous poets' verse so much does vaunt,
vaunt > display, make a show of; boast of
3 And has for twelve huge labours high extolled),
high > [been highly; high been] extolled > praised; praised overmuch
4 So many furies and sharp fits did haunt,
So > (Follows from line 1: "Not so many furies did haunt that great champion as did this knight twelve thousand dolours daunt") haunt > visit; molest
5 When him the poisoned garment did enchant
garment > (A white garment soaked in the blood of the centaur Nessus, by which Hercules was killed (see Met. 9.134 ff.)) enchant > {Exert an evil magical influence upon}
6 (With centaur's blood and bloody verses charmed), 7 As did this knight twelve thousand dolours daunt,
dolours > pains
8 Whom fiery steel now burnt, that erst him armed,
erst > [at] first
9 That erst him goodly armed, now most of all him harmed.
111.28
Faint, wearie, sore, emboyled, grieued, brent
2 With heat, toyle, wounds, armes, smart, and inward fire
That neuer man such mischiefes did torment;
4 Death better were, death did he oft desire,
But death will neuer come, when needes require.
6 Whom so dismayd when that his foe beheld,
He cast to suffer him no more respire,
8 But gan his sturdie sterne about to weld,
And him so strongly stroke, that to the ground him feld.
1 Faint, weary, sore, emboiled, grieved, burnt,
emboiled > {Boiling with heat; boiling with rage; caused to be boiling with rage: SUS} grieved > hurt
2 With heat, toil, wounds, arms, smart, and inward fire,
smart > acute pain
3 That never man such mischiefs did torment;
mischiefs > misfortunes, evils; injuries
4 Death better were: death did he often desire, 5 But death will never come when needs require. 6 Whom so dismayed, when that his foe beheld,
so dismayed > thus overcome that > [that entity, that dragon]
7 He cast to suffer him no more respire,
He cast > [The dragon] resolved suffer > allow respire > [to] draw breath, live
8 But began his sturdy stern about to wield, 9 And him so strongly struck that to the ground him felled.
111.29
It fortuned (as faire it then befell)
2 Behind his backe vnweeting, where he stood,
Of auncient time there was a springing well,
4 From which fast trickled forth a siluer flood,
Full of great vertues, and for med'cine good.
6 Whylome, before that cursed Dragon got
That happie land, and all with innocent blood
8 Defyld those sacred waues, it rightly hot
The well of life, ne yet his vertues had forgot.
1 It fortuned (as fair it then befell)
fair > favourably
2 Behind his back, unweeting where he stood,
unweeting > unwittingly; hence: unnoticed
3 Of ancient time there was a springing well
well > {Spring, spring with supernatural powers}
4 From which fast trickled forth a silver flood, 5 Full of great virtues, and for medicine good.
virtues > powers
6 Whilom, before that cursed dragon got
Whilom > Of yore, in ancient times; formerly
7 That happy land, and all with innocent blood
happy > happy; fortunate
8 Defiled those sacred waves, it rightly hight
hight > was called
9 "The Well of Life", nor yet its virtues had forgotten.
forgotten > lost
111.30
For vnto life the dead it could restore,
2 And guilt of sinfull crimes cleane wash away,
Those that with sicknesse were infected sore,
4 It could recure, and aged long decay
Renew, as +one+ were borne that very day.
6 Both Silo this, and Iordan did excell,
And th'English Bath, and eke the german Spau,
8 Ne can Cephise, nor Hebrus match this well:
Into the same the knight backe ouerthrowen, fell.
5 one > it 1590 etc.: FE; lection defended by Collier
1 For to life the dead it could restore, 2 And guilt of sinful crimes clean wash away.
clean > entirely; cleanly
3 Those that with sickness were infected sore 4 It could recure, and aged long decay
recure > cure, restore to life
5 Renew, as one were born that very day. 6 Both Siloam this, and Jordan, did excel,
(The word-order in line 6 is exceptionally convoluted: "This did excel both Siloam and Jordan") Siloam > (Or Silo, the pool of Siloam; see John 9.7) Jordan > (The River Jordan, in which Naaman was cured of leprosy (2 Kings 5.1-14) and in which Christ was baptized by John (Matt. 3))
7 And the English Bath, and eke the German Spau,
Bath > (In Avon, England, a spa since at least Roman times)
eke > also
Spau > (Near Li{e\}ge in Belgium)
8 Nor can Cephissus, nor Hebrus, match this well:
can > did; can Cephissus > (The waters of this Greek river were used to purify Deucalion and Pyrrha (Met. 1.369-70); and for washing and whitening fleeces (Pliny, Hist. Nat. 2.106)) Hebrus > (A river in Thrace with unusually pure water (see Horace, Epistles 1.16:13)) well > {Spring, spring with supernatural powers}
9 Into the same the knight, back overthrown, fell.
111.31
Now gan the golden Ph{oe}bus for to steepe
2 His fierie face in billowes of the west,
And his faint steedes watred in Ocean deepe,
4 Whiles from their iournall labours they did rest,
When that infernall Monster, hauing kest
6 His wearie foe into that liuing well,
Can high aduance his broad discoloured brest,
8 Aboue his wonted pitch, with countenance fell,
And clapt his yron wings, as victor he did dwell.
1 Now began the golden Phoebus to steep
Phoebus > (Who each day drives his chariot across the sky)
2 His fiery face in billows of the west, 3 And his faint steeds watered in ocean deep, 4 While from their journal labours they did rest,
journal > daily; diurnal; or: viatical (a "journal" was also a day's travel, or any journey)
5 When that infernal monster, having cast 6 His weary foe into that living well,
living > constantly flowing; refreshing well > {Spring, spring with supernatural powers}
7 Can high advance his broad discoloured breast
Can > Did discoloured > varicoloured, hence: speckled (111.15:2); also: stained, dingy
8 Above his wonted pitch, with countenance fell,
wonted > accustomed pitch > height (to which a bird of prey rises before stooping on its prey) fell > fierce, terrible
9 And clapped his iron wings, as victor he did dwell.
as > [as though as] dwell > live; hence: survive, remain
111.32
Which when his pensiue Ladie saw from farre,
2 Great woe and sorrow did her soule assay,
As weening that the sad end of the warre,
4 And gan to highest God entirely pray,
That feared chance from her to turne away;
6 With folded hands and knees full lowly bent
All night she watcht, ne once adowne would lay
8 Her daintie limbs in her sad dreriment,
But praying still did wake, and waking did lament.
1 Which when his pensive lady saw from far,
pensive > apprehensive, anxious
2 Great woe and sorrow did her soul assay,
assay > assault; test, make trial of
3 As weening that the sad end of the war,
weening > supposing that > [that sight]
4 And gan to highest God entirely pray,
gan > did entirely > unreservedly; or: inwardly (cf. e.g. 408.23:9)
5 That feared chance from her to turn away; 6 With folded hands, and knees full lowly bent,
full > very
7 All night she watched, nor once adown would lay
adown > down
8 Her dainty limbs in her sad dreariment,
dainty > {Delightful; of delicate beauty} dreariment > affliction, melancholy
9 But praying still did wake, and waking did lament.
still > continually
111.33
The morrow next gan early to appeare,
2 That Titan rose to runne his daily race;
But early ere the morrow next gan reare
4 Out of the sea faire Titans deawy face,
Vp rose the gentle virgin from her place,
6 And looked all about, if she might spy
Her loued knight to moue his manly pace:
8 For she had great doubt of his safety,
Since late she saw him fall before his enemy.
1 The morrow next began early to appear, 2 That Titan rose to run his daily race;
That > [So that; when] race > journey
3 But early, ere the morrow next gan rear
gan > did
4 Out of the sea fair Titan's dewy face, 5 Up rose the gentle virgin from her place,
gentle > gentle; noble
6 And looked all about, if she might spy
if > [in the hope that]
7 Her beloved knight to move his manly pace:
to move > [moving]
8 For she had great doubt of his safety,
doubt of > fear for
9 Since late she saw him fall before his enemy.
late > recently
111.34
At last she saw, where he vpstarted braue
2 Out of the well, wherein he drenched lay;
As Eagle fresh out of the Ocean waue,
4 Where he hath left his plumes all hoary gray,
And deckt himselfe with feathers youthly gay,
6 Like Eyas hauke vp mounts vnto the skies,
His newly budded pineons to assay,
8 And marueiles at himselfe, still as he flies:
So new this new-borne knight to battell new did rise.
1 At last she saw where he upstarted brave
upstarted > started up brave > brave; splendid; and adv.
2 Out of the well wherein he drenched lay;
well > {Spring, spring with supernatural powers} drenched > bathed
3 As eagle, fresh out of the ocean wave
eagle > (Described in many medieval bestiaries as renewing itself by submersion in water)
4 (Where he has left his plumes all hoary grey, 5 And decked himself with feathers youthly gay), 6 Like eyas hawk up mounts to the skies,
eyas > {A young hawk from the nest; one not fully trained}
7 His newly-budded pinions to assay,
assay > test, try out
8 And marvels at himself still as he flies:
still > continually
9 So new this new-born knight to battle new did rise.
111.35
Whom when the damned feend so fresh did +spy,+
2 No wonder if he wondred at the sight,
And doubted, whether his late enemy
4 It were, or other new supplied knight.
+He, now+ to proue his late renewed might,
6 High brandishing his bright deaw-burning blade,
Vpon his crested scalpe so sore did smite,
8 That to the scull a yawning wound it made:
The deadly dint his dulled senses all dismaid.
1 spy, > spy. 1596 5 He, now > He now, 1590
1 Whom when the damned fiend so fresh did spy, 2 No wonder if he wondered at the sight,
wondered > marvelled
3 And doubted whether his late enemy
doubted > doubted; feared late > former
4 It were, or other new-supplied knight. 5 He now, to prove his lately renewed might, 6 High brandishing his bright dew-burning blade,
burning > glittering (see 111.36:2)
7 Upon his crested scalp so sore did smite,
scalp > crown of the head, cranium
8 That to the skull a yawning wound it made: 9 The deadly dint his dulled senses all dismayed.
dint > blow, impact
111.36
I wote not, whether the reuenging steele
2 Were hardned with that holy water dew,
Wherein he fell, or sharper edge did feele,
4 Or his baptized hands now greater grew;
Or other secret vertue did ensew;
6 Else neuer could the force of fleshly arme,
Ne molten mettall in his bloud embrew:
8 For till that stownd could neuer wight him harme,
By subtilty, nor slight, nor might, nor mighty charme.
1 I wot not whether the revenging steel
wot > know
2 Were hardened with that holy water dew
dew > dew (sb.); also: due, merited, belonging by right
3 Wherein he fell, or sharper edge did feel, 4 Or his baptized hands now greater grew; 5 Or other secret virtue did ensue;
virtue > power ensue > result [from his immersion]
6 Else never could the force of fleshly arm,
Else > Otherwise
7 Nor molten metal in his blood imbrue:
imbrue > steep (i.e. even molten metal could not be steeped in the dragon's blood)
8 For till that stound could never wight him harm
stound > {Moment; time of trial or pain} wight > person, mortal
9 By subtlety, nor sleight, nor might, nor mighty charm.
charm > magic spell
111.37
The cruell wound enraged him so sore,
2 That loud he +yelded+ for exceeding paine;
As hundred ramping Lyons seem'd to rore,
4 Whom rauenous hunger did thereto constraine:
Then gan he tosse aloft his stretched traine,
6 And therewith scourge the buxome aire so sore,
That to his force to yeelden it was faine;
8 Ne ought his sturdie strokes might stand afore,
That high trees ouerthrew, and rocks in peeces tore.
2 yelded > yelled 1609; yelped dub. conj. Smith
1 The cruel wound enraged him so sore, 2 That loud he yelled for exceeding pain; 3 As hundred ramping lions seemed to roar,
ramping > rearing
4 Whom ravenous hunger did thereto constrain:
thereto > to that [roaring]
5 Then gan he toss aloft his stretched train,
gan > did train > tail
6 And therewith scourge the buxom air so sore,
therewith > with it buxom > yielding, pliant
7 That to his force to yield it was fain;
fain > obliged
8 Neither aught his sturdy strokes might stand before,
aught > anything sturdy > recklessly violent might stand before > could withstand
9 That high trees overthrew, and rocks in pieces tore.
111.38
The same aduauncing high aboue his head,
2 With sharpe intended sting so rude him smot,
That to the earth him droue, as stricken dead,
4 Ne liuing wight would haue him life behot:
The mortall sting his angry needle shot
6 Quite through his shield, and in his shoulder seasd,
Where fast it stucke, ne would there out be got:
8 The griefe thereof him wondrous sore diseasd,
Ne might his ranckling paine with patience be appeasd.
1 The same advancing high above his head,
The same > [His tail] advancing > raising
2 With sharp intended sting so rude him smote,
intended > extended; intended rude > violently, roughly
3 That to the earth him drove, as stricken dead; 4 No living wight would have him life behight:
wight > person behight > {Held out hope of}
5 The mortal sting its angry needle shot 6 Quite through his shield, and in his shoulder seized,
seized > fastened, fixed itself (SUS)
7 Where fast it stuck, nor would thereout be got:
fast > firmly thereout > thence
8 The grief thereof him wondrous sore diseased,
grief > pain diseased > "dis-eased", discomforted, distressed, tormented
9 Nor might his rankling pain with patience be appeased.
111.39
But yet more mindfull of his honour deare,
2 Then of the grieuous smart, which him did wring,
From loathed soile he can him lightly reare,
4 And stroue to loose the farre infixed +sting+:
Which when in vaine he tryde with struggeling,
6 Inflam'd with wrath, his raging blade he heft,
And strooke so strongly, that the knotty +string+
8 Of his huge taile he quite +a+ sunder cleft,
Fiue ioynts thereof he hewd, and but the stump him left.
4 sting > string 1596, 1609 7 string > sting 1596, 1609 8 a > in 1609
1 But yet more mindful of his honour dear 2 Than of the grievous smart which him did wring,
smart > acute pain wring > rack, vex
3 From loathed soil he can him lightly rear,
can him > did himself lightly > quickly
4 And strove to loosen the far infixed sting: 5 Which when in vain he tried with struggling, 6 Inflamed with wrath, his raging blade he heft,
heft > raised
7 And struck so strongly that the knotty string 8 Of his huge tail he quite asunder cleft: 9 Five joints thereof he hewed, and but the stump him left.
but > only
111.40
Hart cannot thinke, what outrage, and what cryes,
2 With foule enfouldred smoake and flashing fire,
The hell-bred beast threw forth vnto the skyes,
4 That all was couered with darknesse dire:
Then fraught with rancour, and engorged ire,
6 He cast at once him to auenge for all,
And gathering vp himselfe out of the mire,
8 With his vneuen wings did fiercely +fall,+
Vpon his sunne-bright shield, and gript it fast withall.
8 fall, > fall 1609
1 Heart cannot think what outrage, and what cries,
Heart > Mind
2 With foul enfouldred smoke and flashing fire,
enfouldred > {?As black as a thunder-cloud. SU; cf. 202.20:9}
3 The hell-bred beast threw forth to the skies, 4 That all was covered with darkness dire:
That > [So that]
5 Then, fraught with rancour and engorged ire,
fraught > filled engorged > swallowed; hence: internal, swelling, choking
6 He cast at once him to avenge for all,
cast > decided, resolved him > [himself] for all > [once and for all]
7 And, gathering up himself out of the mire, 8 With his uneven wings did fiercely fall
uneven > (One has been hurt)
9 Upon his sun-bright shield, and gripped it fast withal.
fast > firmly withal > notwithstanding [his pain]; as well, moreover
111.41
Much was the man encombred with his hold,
2 In feare to lose his weapon in his paw,
Ne wist yet, how his talants to vnfold;
4 +For+ harder was from Cerberus greedie iaw
To plucke a bone, then from his cruell claw
6 To reaue by +strength,+ the griped gage away:
Thrise he assayd it from his foot to draw,
8 And thrise in vaine to draw it did assay,
It booted nought to thinke, to robbe him of his pray.
4 For > Nor 1609; cf. 506.26:5-6 6 strength, > strength 1609
1 Much was the man encumbered with his hold, 2 In fear to lose his weapon in his paw, 3 Nor wist yet how his talons to unfold;
wist > knew
4 For harder was from Cerberus' greedy jaw 5 To pluck a bone, than from his cruel claw 6 To reave by strength the gripped gage away:
reave > take gage > battle-token (cf. 104.39:5, where another shield is the gage)
7 Thrice he essayed it from his foot to draw,
essayed > attempted
8 And thrice in vain to draw it did essay; 9 It booted naught to think to rob him of his prey.
booted naught > [availed nothing, was useless]
111.42
Tho when he saw no power might preuaile,
2 His trustie sword he cald to his last aid,
Wherewith he fiercely did his foe assaile,
4 And double blowes about him stoutly laid,
That glauncing fire out of the yron plaid;
6 As sparckles from the Anduile vse to fly,
When heauie hammers on the wedge are swaid;
8 Therewith at last he forst him to vnty
One of his grasping feete, him to defend thereby.
1 Tho, when he saw no power might prevail,
Tho > Then
2 His trusty sword he called to his last aid, 3 Wherewith he fiercely did his foe assail,
Wherewith > With which
4 And double blows about him stoutly laid,
stoutly > boldly, bravely, resolutely
5 That glancing fire out of the iron played,
That > [So that]
6 As sparkles from the anvil use to fly,
use to > observe as a custom; hence: customarily, do
7 When heavy hammers on the wedge are swayed;
wedge > {Blacksmith's tool held in tongs and used on an anvil for cutting red-hot iron; also: ingot of gold or silver} swayed > swung
8 Therewith at last he forced him to untie
Therewith > With that
9 One of his grasping feet, him to defend thereby.
him > [himself, the dragon]
111.43
The other foot, fast fixed on his +shield+
2 Whenas no strength, nor stroks mote him constraine
To loose, ne yet the warlike pledge to yield,
4 He smot thereat with all his might and maine,
That nought so wondrous puissance might sustaine;
6 Vpon the ioynt the lucky steele did light,
And made such way, that hewd it quite in twaine;
8 The paw yet missed not his minisht might,
But hong still on the shield, as it at first was pight.
1 shield > shield, 1609
1 The other foot, fast fixed on his shield,
fast > firmly
2 When no strength, nor strokes, might him constrain 3 To loose, nor yet the warlike pledge to yield,
loose > loosen
4 He smote thereat with all his might and main,
main > force, strength
5 That naught so wondrous puissance might sustain;
so > such puissance > power, strength sustain > endure
6 Upon the joint the lucky steel did light,
light > strike; fall, alight
7 And made such way, that hewed it quite in twain;
that > [that it] twain > two
8 The paw yet missed not his minished might,
his > [the paw's or the dragon's] minished > reduced, diminished
9 But hung still on the shield, as it at first was pight.
as > [just as] pight > pitched, placed; hence: held, held down, held in place
111.44
For griefe thereof, and diuelish despight,
2 From his infernall fournace forth he threw
Huge flames, that dimmed all the heauens light,
4 Enrold in duskish smoke and brimstone blew;
As burning Aetna from his boyling stew
6 Doth belch out flames, and rockes in peeces broke,
And ragged ribs of mountaines molten new,
8 Enwrapt in coleblacke clouds and filthy smoke,
That all the land with stench, and heauen with horror choke.
1 For grief thereof, and devilish despite,
grief > pain despite > spite, malice
2 From his infernal furnace forth he threw 3 Huge flames that dimmed all the heavens' light, 4 Enrolled in duskish smoke and brimstone blue;
blue > {Burning without redness, as a candle is said to do in the presence of ghosts, death, or Satan}
5 As burning Etna from its boiling stew
Etna > (The volcano in Sicily, which was very active in the 16th century; see also Aen. 3.571-7) stew > cauldron
6 Does belch out flames, and rocks in pieces broken, 7 And ragged ribs of mountains molten new, 8 Enwrapped in coal-black clouds and filthy smoke, 9 That all the land with stench, and heaven with horror, choke.
111.45
The heate whereof, and harmefull pestilence
2 So sore him noyd, that forst him to retire
A little backward for his best defence,
4 To saue his bodie from the scorching fire,
Which he from hellish entrailes did expire.
6 It chaunst (eternall God that chaunce did guide)
As he recoyled backward, in the mire
8 His nigh forwearied feeble feet did slide,
And downe he fell, with dread of shame sore terrifide.
1 The heat whereof, and harmful pestilence,
whereof > of which pestilence > noxiousness
2 So sore him noyed, that forced him to retire
noyed > vexed, harassed; injured that > [that it]
3 A little backward for his best defence, 4 To save his body from the scorching fire, 5 Which he from hellish entrails did expire.
he > [the dragon] expire > exhale
6 It chanced (eternal God that chance did guide) 7 As he recoiled backward, in the mire 8 His nigh forwearied feeble feet did slide,
forwearied > exhausted
9 And down he fell, with dread of shame sore terrified.
111.46
There grew a goodly tree him faire beside,
2 Loaden with fruit and apples rosie red,
As they in pure vermilion had beene dide,
4 Whereof great vertues ouer all were red:
For happie life to all, which thereon fed,
6 And life eke euerlasting did befall:
Great God it planted in that blessed sted
8 With his almightie hand, and did it call
+The tree of life+, the crime of our first fathers fall.
9 The tree of life > The tree of life 1609; cf. 111.29:9
1 There grew a goodly tree him fair beside,
goodly > fine, beautiful (cf. Gen. 2.9, Rev. 2.7) fair > becomingly; favourably, luckily; plainly to be seen
2 Loaded with fruit and apples rosy red, 3 As they in pure vermilion had been dyed,
As > [As though] vermilion > {Scarlet-giving pigment, esp. cinnabar or red crystalline mercuric sulphide, used as a dye}
4 Whereof great virtues over all were read:
Whereof > Of which virtues > powers over all > everywhere read > discerned; made known
5 For happy life to all who thereon fed,
happy > fortunate; happy
6 And life eke everlasting, did befall:
eke > also, moreover
7 Great God it planted in that blessed stead
stead > place
8 With His almighty hand, and did it call 9 "The Tree of Life", the crime of our first father's fall.
crime > cause of accusation (in Gen. 3.22-4, Adam, having disobediently eaten (3.6-7) from the tree of knowledge, was banished by God from the Garden of Eden for fear that he would also taste the fruit of the tree of life. Adam thus laid himself open to the accusation of his descendants that he had denied them the opportunity to dwell in the Garden of Eden)
111.47
In all the world like was not to be found,
2 Saue in that soile, where all good things did grow,
And freely sprong out of the fruitfull ground,
4 As incorrupted Nature did them sow,
Till that dread Dragon all did ouerthrow.
6 Another like faire tree eke grew thereby,
Whereof who so did eat, eftsoones did know
8 Both good and ill: O mornefull memory:
That tree through one mans fault hath doen vs all to dy.
1 In all the world like was not to be found,
like > [the like]
2 Save in that soil, where all good things did grow, 3 And freely sprung out of the fruitful ground, 4 As incorrupted Nature did them sow,
incorrupted > pure, sound, uncorrupted
5 Till that dread dragon all did overthrow. 6 Another like fair tree eke grew thereby,
Another > (The tree of the knowledge of good and evil: see Gen. 2.9-17) like > similar, similarly eke > also
7 Whereof whosoever did eat, eftsoons did know
Whereof > Of which eftsoons > forthwith
8 Both good and ill: O mournful memory:
memory > recollection, remembrance; written memorial record (that is, these lines of FQ)
9 That tree through one man's fault has done us all to die.
done > caused
111.48
From that first tree forth flowd, as from a well,
2 A trickling streame of Balme, most soueraine
And daintie deare, which on the ground still fell,
4 And ouerflowed all the fertill plaine,
As it had deawed bene with timely raine:
6 Life and long health that gratious ointment gaue,
And deadly woundes could +heale+ and reare againe
8 The senselesse corse appointed for the graue.
Into that same he fell: which did from death him saue.
7 heale > heale, 1590, 1609
1 From that first tree forth flowed, as from a well,
well > {Spring, spring with supernatural powers}
2 A trickling stream of balm, most sovereign
sovereign > supremely efficacious
3 And dainty dear, which on the ground still fell,
dainty dear > preciously rare still > continually
4 And overflowed all the fertile plain, 5 As it had dewed been with timely rain:
As > [As though] timely > seasonal; seasonable, opportune
6 Life and long health that gracious ointment gave,
gracious > [imbued with heavenly grace]
7 And deadly wounds could heal, and rear again 8 The senseless corse appointed for the grave.
corse > body appointed > made ready
9 Into that same he fell: which did from death him save.
111.49
For nigh thereto the euer damned beast
2 Durst not approch, for he was deadly made,
And all that life preserued, did detest:
4 Yet he it oft aduentur'd to inuade.
By this the drouping day-light gan to fade,
6 And yeeld his roome to sad succeeding night,
Who with her sable mantle gan to shade
8 The face of earth, and wayes of liuing wight,
And high her burning torch set vp in heauen bright.
1 For nigh thereto the ever-damned beast
thereto > to that
2 Dared not approach, for he was deadly made,
deadly > [of death]
3 And all that life preserved did detest: 4 Yet he it often adventured to invade.
adventured > ventured invade > enter (SUS)
5 By this the drooping daylight began to fade,
By this > By this time
6 And yield its room to sad succeeding Night,
room > place, space sad > dark, dismal Night > (Nox; see 105.20 ff.)
7 Who with her sable mantle began to shade 8 The face of earth, and ways of living wight,
wight > creature, being, person
9 And high her burning torch set up in heaven bright.
her burning torch > [the moon]
111.50
When gentle Vna saw the second fall
2 Of her deare knight, who wearie of long fight,
And faint through losse of bloud, mou'd not at all,
4 But lay as in a dreame of deepe delight,
Besmeard with pretious Balme, whose vertuous might
6 Did heale his wounds, and scorching heat alay,
Againe she stricken was with sore affright,
8 And for his safetie gan deuoutly pray;
And watch the noyous night, and wait for ioyous day.
1 When gentle Una saw the second fall
gentle > noble; gentle
2 Of her dear knight (who, weary of long fight, 3 And faint through loss of blood, moved not at all, 4 But lay as in a dream of deep delight, 5 Besmeared with precious balm, whose virtuous might
virtuous > {Having "virtue" or healing power}
6 Did heal his wounds, and scorching heat allay), 7 Again she stricken was with sore fright, 8 And for his safety gan devoutly pray;
gan > did; began to
9 And watch the noyous night, and wait for joyous day.
watch > [keep watch on] noyous > irksome, vexatious
111.51
The ioyous day gan early to appeare,
2 And faire Aurora from +the+ deawy bed
Of aged Tithone gan her selfe to reare,
4 With rosie cheekes, for shame as blushing red;
Her golden lockes for haste were loosely shed
6 About her eares, when Vna her did marke
Clymbe to her charet, all with flowers +spred;+
8 From heauen high to chase the chearelesse +darke,+
With merry note her loud salutes the mounting larke.
2 the > her 1596, 1609 7 spred; > spred, conj. Smith 8 darke, > darke; conj. Smith
1 The joyous day began early to appear, 2 And fair Aurora from the dewy bed
Aurora > (Cf. 102.7: the two dawns mark the essential beginning and end of the knight's spiritual journey)
3 Of aged Tithonus began herself to rear, 4 With rosy cheeks, for shame as blushing red;
for shame as > [as though for shame]
5 Her golden locks for haste were loosely shed 6 About her ears, when Una her did mark
her > [Aurora] mark > see, notice
7 Climb to her chariot, all with flowers spread,
chariot > (Conflating Aurora with Phoebus Apollo, god of the sun, who each day drives his chariot across the sky)
8 From heaven high to chase the cheerless dark; 9 With merry note her loud salutes the mounting lark.
merry > delightful, charming
111.52
Then freshly vp arose the doughtie knight,
2 All healed of his hurts and woundes wide,
And did himselfe to battell readie dight;
4 Whose early foe awaiting him beside
To haue deuourd, so soone as day he spyde,
6 When now he saw himselfe so freshly reare,
As if late fight had nought him damnifyde,
8 He woxe dismayd, and gan his fate to feare;
Nathlesse with wonted rage he him aduaunced neare.
1 Then freshly up arose the doughty knight, 2 All healed of his hurts and wounds wide, 3 And did himself to battle ready dight;
dight > prepare, arrange
4 Whose early foe (awaiting him beside
awaiting > keeping watch
5 To have devoured so soon as day he spied),
To > [In order to] so > [him as] day > [daylight] he > [the dragon]
6 When now he saw himself so freshly rear,
he > [the dragon] himself > [the knight]
7 As if late fight had naught him damnified,
late > [the] recent naught > not at all damnified > injured
8 He waxed dismayed, and began his fate to fear;
He waxed > [The dragon] grew
9 Natheless with wonted rage he him advanced near.
Natheless > Nevertheless wonted > customary
111.53
And in his first encounter, gaping wide,
2 He thought attonce him to haue swallowd quight,
And rusht vpon him with outragious pride;
4 Who him r'encountring fierce, as hauke in flight,
Perforce rebutted backe. The weapon bright
6 Taking aduantage of his open iaw,
Ran through his mouth with so importune might,
8 That deepe emperst his darksome hollow maw,
And back retyrd, his life bloud forth with all did draw.
1 And in his first encounter, gaping wide, 2 He thought at once him to have swallowed quite,
at once > at once; at one time; hence: in one mouthful
3 And rushed upon him with outrageous pride;
outrageous > intemperate, excessively fierce
4 Who, him rencountering fierce, as hawk in flight,
rencountering > colliding with; coming into hostile contact with
5 Perforce rebutted back. The weapon bright,
Perforce > By force
6 Taking advantage of his open jaw, 7 Ran through his mouth with so importune might
so importune > such grievous
8 That deep empierced his darksome hollow maw,
That > [That it] empierced > transfixed
9 And, back retired, his life-blood forth withal did draw.
withal > with that, hence: with the sword
111.54
So downe he fell, and forth his life did breath,
2 That vanisht into smoke and cloudes swift;
So downe he fell, that th'earth him vnderneath
4 Did grone, as feeble so great load to lift;
So downe he fell, as an huge rockie clift,
6 Whose false foundation waues haue washt away,
With dreadfull +poyse+ is from the mayneland rift,
8 And rolling downe, great Neptune doth dismay;
So downe he fell, and like an heaped mountaine lay.
7 poyse > noyse conj. Morris
1 So down he fell, and forth his life did breathe, 2 That vanished into smoke and clouds swift; 3 So down he fell, that the earth him underneath
that > [so that]
4 Did groan, as feeble, so great load to lift;
so > [such a]
5 So down he fell, as a huge rocky cliff, 6 Whose false foundation waves have washed away,
false > (Required by the allegory: cf. 104.5:4, 108.23:4)
7 With dreadful poise is from the mainland rived,
poise > weight, gravity
8 And, rolling down, great Neptune does dismay;
Neptune > (See Rev. 21.1)
9 So down he fell, and like a heaped mountain lay.
111.55
The knight himselfe euen trembled at his fall,
2 So huge and horrible a masse it seem'd;
And his deare Ladie, that beheld it all,
4 Durst not approch for dread, which she misdeem'd,
But yet at last, when as the direfull feend
6 She saw not stirre, off-shaking vaine affright,
She nigher drew, and saw that ioyous end:
8 Then God she praysd, and thankt her faithfull knight,
That had atchieu'd so great a conquest by his might.
1 The knight himself even trembled at his fall, 2 So huge and horrible a mass it seemed; 3 And his dear lady, that beheld it all, 4 Dared not approach for dread, which she misdeemed,
misdeemed > [had conceived through misjudgement]
5 But yet at last, when the direful fiend
direful > terrible, dreadful
6 She saw not stir, off-shaking vain affright,
off-shaking > shaking off vain > frail, weak; futile; foolish affright > terror
7 She nigher drew, and saw that joyous end: 8 Then God she praised, and thanked her faithful knight, 9 That had achieved so great a conquest by his might.
his > his; His (see 201.33:2-3)