The Faerie Queene — Volume 01

by Edmund Spenser

SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW READERS

Readers who are new to The Faerie Queene and who are working without the help of a teacher may be daunted by its sheer size. Such readers are invited to sample some of the poem before deciding to embark on a detailed reading.

If you are at present unfamiliar with Elizabethan spelling and usage, I recommend that, in the beginning, you read each stanza first in the Shadow Text, just to get the mechanical meaning. Then go to the original and read that, for its structure, for its rhythm and its music, and to absorb the idiom of the language. After a short while you will be able to read the Original Text immediately, referring to the Shadow Text only when difficulty is encountered.

The following passages provide a brief survey of the variety of
Spenser's style.

101. The sequence in Error's den (101.11-27) is perhaps the most crudely allegorical in the FQ, and shows signs of having been drafted before Spenser hit upon his "dark conceit". None the less, the whole of this canto should be read as an introduction to the poem. Stanzas 39-41 are especially beautiful.

102.15-19. The first of many titanic battles between armed knights.

103.0-9. Una finds her champion in the gentle lion.

104.17-36. Spenser's rendition of the Seven Deadly Sins is grotesquely medieval in tone.

105.19-28. The goddess Night prepares to descend into hell. The quality of Spenser's imagination defeats what may have been his original intention to produce a pastiche here. For example, the choice of the word "tarre" at 105.28:8 evinces artistry of the highest order.

107.1-7. The Redcross Knight brought low. You are challenged not to want to continue reading this canto!

107.38-41. Prince Arthur's "goodly reason, and well guided speach".

108.45-50. The spoiling of Duessa.

109.35-54. The counsel of Despair. The central stanzas are often quoted out of context; 109.40 was raided by Joseph Conrad for his epitaph.

111.8-55. The Redcross Knight slays the dragon.

112.9-11. Spenser's sense of humour, at its most savage in Book III, here shows a gentler face.

204.16-32. The confession of Phedon. Spenser's handling of this old story is both vivid and economical.

205.28-34. Cymochles in the Bower of Bliss. The sensuousness of the poet's imagination is still, unbelievably, developing, and has yet further to go.

207. Mammon's cave. One of Milton's favourite cantos. The word-picture of Mammon himself (207.3-4) is quite superb.

210.7-11. The long chronicle of Britain, often dismissed as tedious, nevertheless contains many striking images. See the potted King Lear at 210.27-32.

212.30-33. Guyon tempted by the mermaids. The whole of this canto is recommended to the new reader; see especially 212.42-45, 212.58-82.

301.20-30. Britomart rescues the Redcross Knight.

302.17-27. Britomart falls for Arthegall.

304.17 is one of the most graphic stanzas in the FQ. Cymodoce's grief, 304.29-39, is wonderfully portrayed.

305.41-48. Timias's love for Belphoebe.

308.0-19. The Snowy Florimell. This is just a specimen: cantos 308-310 are mercilessly funny.

311.47-49. The image of Cupid, quite different in conception from Venus's "little sonne" of 306.11 ff.

312.1-27. The Masque of Cupid.

If your interest has been now been aroused, I suggest you read the Letter to Raleigh before venturing on your journey through the landscape of The Faerie Queene.

You will find there a spacious playground for the mind. Its knights and ladies, dragons and satyrs, forests and castles, seem at first to be those of fantasy. Yet the FQ is by no means an exercise in escapism. Even incomplete, it triumphantly succeeds in Spenser's declared intention of fashioning a "noble person in vertuous and gentle discipline".

=> ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE GLOSSARY AND TEXTUAL APPENDIX

adj. adjective, adjectival, adjectivally adv. adverb, adverbial, adverbially Aen. Aeneid (Virgil) app. apparently BC before Christ c. circa, about catachr. catachresis, catachrestic, catachrestically CC Colin Clouts Come Home Againe (Spenser) cf. compare Col. Colossians conj. conjectured by corr. corrected by Dan. Daniel DGDG De Genealogia Deorum Gentilium (Boccaccio) Deut. Deuteronomy dub. dubitative, dubitatively Eccl. Ecclesiastes Ephes. Ephesians erron. erroneous, erroneously esp. especial, especially et seq. and the following words, passages euphem. euphemism, euphemistic, euphemistically Exod. Exodus Ezek. Ezekiel ff. following, et. seq. fig. figurative, figuratively fl. floruit (indicating the period during which a person "flourished" FQ The Faerie Queene Gal. Galatians Gen. Genesis GL Gerusalemme Liberata (Tasso) Heb. Hebrews Hos. Hosea HRB Historia Regum Britanniae (Geoffrey of Monmouth) Hubberd Mother Hubberds Tale (Spenser) intr. intransitive, intransitively Isa. Isaiah Josh. Joshua Judg. Judges lit. literal, literally LR Spenser's letter to Raleigh (see Introductory Matter) Matt. Matthew Met. Metamorphoses (Ovid) Myth. Mythologiae (Comes) Odes Odes (Ovid) OE Old English OED Oxford English Dictionary, 1989 edition OF Orlando Furioso (Ariosto) OFr Old French PL Paradise Lost (Milton) ppl. past participle prep. preposition, prepositional, prepositionally Ps. Psalms refl. reflexive, reflexively Rev. Revelation Rinaldo Rinaldo (Tasso) Rom. Romans RR Ruines of Rome (Spenser) sb. substantive, substantival, substantivally SC The Shepheardes Calender (Spenser) Song Sol. Song of Solomon sp., spp. species SU sense unique (i.e. this sense is found only here) SUFQ sense unique to FQ sugg. suggested by SUS sense unique to Spenser TM Teares of the Muses (Spenser) trans. transitive, transitively usu. usually Var. the variorum edition of Spenser's works (see Bibliography) vb. verb WU word unique (i.e. this word is found only here) WUFQ word unique to FQ WUS word unique to Spenser

=> PROPER NOUNS

The proper nouns in Books I-III (excluding the Introductory Matter) are catalogued here. The spellings given are those used in the Shadow Text. If the proper noun is glossed, reference to the stanza or stanzas containing the glossary entry or entries is given; otherwise, the stanza where the proper noun first occurs is noted.

The list has been extended to include characters who are not actually named. Entries for such characters begin with a lower- case letter. For example, Una's dwarf is listed as: dwarf [Una's].

The categories are as follows:

<MR> masculine character in history (i.e. a real person) <FR> feminine character in history <NR> neuter or animal character in history

<MM> masculine character in mythology <FM> feminine character in mythology <NM> neuter or animal character in mythology

<MB> masculine character in Bible <FB> feminine character in Bible

<MQ> masculine character unique to FQ <FQ> feminine character unique to FQ <NQ> neuter or animal character unique to FQ

<PQ> personification in FQ (e.g. Wrath, Despair) <PX> personification in general use (e.g. Nature, Time)

<LR> real place <LM> locus in mythology <LB> locus in Bible <LQ> locus in FQ

<XP> tribes, nations, peoples, or individuals of these (e.g. Briton)

<XX> not classified

<M any masculine character <F any feminine character <N any neuter or animal character <L any locus R> any historical character or real place M> any character or locus in mythology B> any character or locus in the Bible Q> any locus, character, or personification unique to FQ

<FQ> Abessa 103.18 <LR> Abus 210.16 <LM> Acheron 105.33 <MM> Achilles I:330, 302.25 <MM> Acontius 207.55 <FQ> Acrasia (Pleasure) 201.51, 301.2 <MQ> Acrates 204.41 <MB> Adam 210.50 <MM> Admetus 311.39 <MM> Adonis 301.34, 306.0 <LR> Adrian Gulf [Adriatic Sea] 207.14 <LR> Aegean 307.26 <FM> Aegeria 210.42 <FM> Aegina 311.35 <MM> Aeneas I:83 <MM> Aeolus (1) 107.9 <MM> Aeolus (2) 311.42 <MM> Aesculapius 105.36 <LR> African Ismael 303.6 <MM> Aganippus 210.29 <MM> Agdistes (Genius) 212.48 <MM> Aidan [Adin] 303.37 <LR> Alba [Alba Longa] <MM> Albanact 210.14 <LR> Albania 210.29 <LR> Albion (1) 210.6 <MM> Albion (2) 210.11 <MM> Alcides (Hercules) 107.17 <LR> Alcluith 210.63 <FM> Alcmene 311.33 <XX> Aldebaran 103.16 <MR> Alexander 209.45 <MR> Allectus 210.57 <LR> Allen [the Bog of Allen, in Ireland] 209.16 <FQ> Alma (Temperance) 209.0 <XX> Amarant 306.45 <FQ> Amavia 201.0 <LR> Amazon 200.2 <PQ> Ambition 207.46 <MR> Ambrosius 210.67 <PQ> Amendment 110.26 <LR> America 210.72 <MM> Amintas 306.45 <MM> Ammon 105.48 <FQ> Amoret 306.0 <FQ> Amphisa 306.4 <MQ> Anamnestes 209.58 <MM> Anchises 309.41 <MM> Androgeus 210.46 <MQ> angel [watching over Guyon] 208.3 <FM> Angela 303.56 <PQ> Anger 312.25 <XP> Angles 303.56 <PQ> Annoyance 304.55 <MR> Antiochus 105.47 <FM> Antiope 311.35 <XX> Antiquity of Faery Land 209.60 <MR> Antonius 105.49 <MM> Apollo 105.43, 304.41 <PQ> Appetite 209.28 <LR> Arabia 105.4 <FM> Arachne 207.28 <MQ> Archimago (Hypocrisy) 101.43, 304.45 <FQ> Argante 307.47 <XX> Argo 212.44 <MM> Argus 104.17, 309.7 <MQ> armed knight [Sir Ferraugh] 308.15 <LR> Armorica 303.41 <FM> Arne 311.42 <LR> Arras 301.34 <MQ> Artegall 209.6, 302.0 <MM> Arthgallo 210.44 <MM> Arthur 107.0 <MM> Arviragus 210.51 <MM> Asclepiodotus 210.50 <LR> Asia 309.39 <MM> Assaracus 209.56 <FM> Asteria 311.34 <FM> Atalanta 207.54 <FM> Ate 207.55 <LR> Athens 210.25 <MQ> Atin 204.42 <MM> Atlas 207.54 <MR> Augustine 303.35 <MR> Aurelius 210.67 <FM> Aurora 104.16, 310.1 <PQ> Avarice 104.27 <XX> Ave 103.13 <XX> Ave Maria 101.35 <LM> Avernus 105.31 <MM> Aveugle 105.23 <LB> Babel 209.21 <LR> Babylon 105.47 <MQ> Bacchante 301.45 <MM> Bacchus (Lyaeus) 106.15 <LR> Bangor 303.35 <LR> Barry 303.8 <MQ> Basciante 301.45 <LR> Bath (Caer-badus) 111.30 <MQ> beadmen 110.36 <MM> Belinus 210.40 <FQ> Belphoebe 203.0 <FM> Biblis 302.41 <FM> Bisaltis 311.41 <MM> Bladud 303.60 <FR> Boadicea 210.54 <MM> Boreas 102.33 <LQ> Bower of Bliss 201.51 <MQ> Braggadocchio 203.0 <MM> Brennus 210.40 <LR> Britain 110.65 <FQ> Britomart 301.0 <XP> Briton 111.7 <XX> Briton Moniments 209.59 <XP> Britoness 301.58 <MM> Brocmail [Brockwell] 303.35 <MM> Brunchild 210.24 <MM> Brutus 210.9 <MQ> Busirane 311.0 <MR> Cadmus 209.45 <MR> Cador 303.27 <XX> Caduceus 212.41 <MM> Cadwallader 303.40 <MM> Cadwalla [Cadwallin] 303.36 <MM> Cadwan 303.35 <FM> Caecily 210.34 <FQ> Caelia 110.4 <LR> Caer-badus (Bath) 210.26 <LR> Caer-lion 210.25 <LR> Caer-merdin (Maridunum) 303.7 <LR> Caer-verulam [St Albans] 303.52 <MR> Caesar [Gaius Julius Caesar] 105.49 <MQ> Calidore 308.28 <MM> Camber 210.14 <LR> Cambria 210.29 <FM> Camilla 304.2 <LR> Cantium (Canutium, Kent) 210.12 <MM> Canute 210.11 <LR> Canutium (Cantium, Kent) <MM> Carados 303.55 <MR> Carausius 210.57 <PQ> Care 101.40; ?another? at 312.25 <MM> Careticus 303.33 <LR> Carlisle 210.25 <LR> Caspian 207.14 <MM> Cassibellaun 210.47 <FM> Cassiopeia 103.16 <LQ> Castle Joyeous 301.20 <FM> Celeno 207.23 <LR> Celtic mainland 210.5 <LR> Celtica 210.29 <NM> Centaur 210.29 <MM> Cephissus 302.44 <LR> Cephisus 111.30 <NM> Cerberus 105.34 <FM> Ceres 301.51 <PQ> Change 312.25 <NM> Chanticleer 102.1 <FM> Chaos 306.36 <FQ> Charissa 110.4 <MB> Christ (Saviour, Redeemer) 210.53 <XX> Christianity 210.53 <XX> Christians 108.36 <FQ> Chrysogone 306.4 <XX> Church 303.34 <FQ> Claribella 204.26 <MR> Claudius 210.51 <FR> Cleopatra 105.50 <LQ> Cleopolis 107.46 <FM> Clio 304.4 <FM> Clymene 311.38 <LR> Cnidus 306.29 <LM> Cocytus 101.37 <MM> Coel 210.58 <MM> Coillus 210.53 <LR> Colchester 210.58 <FQ> Columbell 307.51 <PQ> Concoction 209.31 <MR> Constantine (1) 210.60 <MM> Constantine (2) 303.29 <MR> Constantius 210.59 <PQ> Contemplation 110.46 <MQ> Coradin 204.36 <FQ> Corceca (Devotion) 103.18 <FM> Cordelia 210.28 <MM> Corineus 210.10 <LR> Cornewaile (Cornwall) 210.12 <FM> Coronis 311.37 <MM> Coulin 210.11 <PQ> Covetise 105.46 <FM> Creusa 212.45 <MR> Critias 207.52 <MR> Croesus 105.47 <PQ> Cruelty 312.19 <MM> Cunedagius 210.33 <MM> Cupid (Love) 110.30 <FM> Cybele 106.15 <MM> Cymbeline 210.50 <LR> Cymbrian plain 108.11 <MQ> Cymochles 204.41 <FM> Cymodoce 304.19 <FM> Cynthia (Diana, Lucina, Phoebe) 101.39, 107.34, 300.4 <LR> Cynthus 203.31 <MM> Cyparissus 106.17 <FM> Cytherea (Venus, Dame Pleasure) 306.20 <LR> Cytheron 306.29 <FM> Dame Pleasure (Venus, Cytherea) 101.47 <FM> Danae 311.31 <PQ> Danger 312.11 <MM> Danius 210.43 <FM> Daphne 212.52, 311.36 <MM> Day (Phoebus, Light) 302.48 <PQ> Death 206.44 <MM> Debon 210.11 <FB> Deborah 304.2 <PQ> Deceit 105.26 <LR> Dee 303.35 <LR> Dehenbarth (South Wales) 302.18 <LR> Dell 210.24 <LR> Delos 212.13 <MM> Demogorgon 105.22 <LR> Denmark 210.41 <PQ> Desire 312.9 <PQ> Despair 109.0 <FQ> Despite 204.41 <MM> Deucalion 311.42 <LR> Devonshire 210.12 <FQ> Devotion (Corceca) 103.0 <FM> Diana (Cynthia, Lucina, Phoebe) 105.39 <PQ> Diet 209.27 <PQ> Digestion 209.31 <MR> Diocletian 210.8 <PQ> Disdain 207.41 <PQ> Disloyalty 312.25 <PQ> Displeasure 312.18 <PQ> Dissemblance 312.14 <PQ> Doubt 312.10 <NQ> dragon (Satan, Prince of Darkness) 101.3 <PQ> Dread 312.25 <PQ> Dread-of-Heavenly-Vengeance 312.25 <FM> Dryope 106.15 <FQ> Duessa (Fidessa, Falsehood) 102.34, 301.0 <MQ> Dumarin 304.19 <MR> Dunwallo 210.40 <MQ> dwarf [Florimell's; named at 502.3:1] 305.3 <MQ> dwarf [Una's] 101.6 <LR> Dynevor 303.8 <FM> Earth 107.9 <PQ> Ease 312.4 <LR> Easterland [Norway] 210.41 <XP> Easterlings 210.63 <MM> Ebraucus 210.21 <LB> Eden 112.26 <MM> Edwin 303.36 <MQ> Elf 210.71 <MQ> Elfant 210.73 <MQ> Elfar 210.73 <MQ> Elferon 210.75 <MQ> Elficleos 210.75 <MQ> Elfiline 210.72 <MQ> Elfin 210.72 <MQ> Elfinan 210.72 <MQ> Elfinell 210.73 <MQ> Elfinor 210.73 <MM> Elidure 210.44 <FQ> Elissa 202.35 <LR> Elversham 210.24 <XP> Elves 303.26 <FR> Emmilen 303.54 <MM> Enceladus 309.22 <LR> England 110.61 <PQ> Envy 104.30 <MR> Eosa [Oza] 303.52 <MM> Erebus 204.41, 304.55 <FM> Erigone 311.43 <FM> Erinnys 202.29 <FQ> Errant Damsel (Una, Truth) 201.19 <NQ> Error 101.0 <LR> Esquiline 209.32 <LR> Estham Bruges 210.24 <FM> Estrildis 210.17 <MM> Eternity 204.41 <MM> Ethelfrid [Etheldred] 303.35 <LR> Etna (Mongiball) 111.44, 208.20, 302.32 <MM> Euboean young man [Melanion, also called Hippomenes] 207.54 <MQ> Eumnestes 209.58 <LR> Euphrates 107.43 <FM> Europa 311.30 <LR> Eurotas 203.31 <LR> Euxine seas [Euxinus] 212.44 <PQ> Excess 212.57 <XP> Faery 100.2 <FQ> Faery Queen (Gloriana, Queen of Faery, Queen of Faeries) 107.36 <FQ> Falsehood (Duessa, Fidessa) 102.0 <PQ> Fancy 312.7 <FM> Fates 107.22 <MM> Faunus 202.7 <PQ> Fear 207.22 <MM> Ferrex 210.34 <MQ> Ferryman, The 211.4 <FQ> Fidelia 110.4 <FQ> Fidessa (Duessa, Falsehood) 102.26 <MQ> fisher [the fisherman who violates Florimell] 307.27 <FM> Flora 101.48 <FQ> Florimell 301.0 <MQ> foster 301.17 <MQ> Fradubio 102.33 <FQ> Fraelissa 102.37 <LR> France 210.22 <MM> Fulgenius 210.57 <FM> Furies 103.36 <PQ> Furor 204.0 <PQ> Fury 312.17 <MQ> Gardante 301.45 <LQ> Garden of Adonis 210.71, 306.29 <MM> Genius (Agdistes) 212.47 <MQ> Genius [at Garden of Adonis] 306.31 <FM> Genuissa 210.52 <MM> George (Redcross, Georgos) 102.11 <MQ> Georgos (Redcross, George) 110.66 <LR> Germany 210.22 <MM> Giants 309.22 <LB> Gihon 107.43 <LR> Glamorgan 210.33 <FQ> Glauce 302.30 <FQ> Gloriana (Faery Queen, Queen of Faery, Queen of Faeries) 210.0 <PQ> Gluttony 104.21 <XX> God (great King, heaven's King) 101.13 <MM> Godmer 210.11 <MM> Goemagot 210.10 <FM> Goneril 210.28 <MM> Gorboduc 210.34 <MM> Gorbonian 210.44 <MM> Gorgon 101.37 <FM> Gorgons 309.22 <MM> Gorlois 303.27 <MM> Gormund 303.33 <FM> Graces 101.48, 203.25, 208.6, 306.2 <MR> Gratian 210.61 <XX> great King (God, heaven's King) 110.55 <LR> Greece 105.4 <XP> Greeks 103.21, 207.55 <PQ> Grief 310.55 <MR> Griffith ap Cynan 303.45 <MQ> Grill 212.86 <FM> Guendolen 303.54 <MM> Guithelin 210.42 <LQ> Gulf of Greediness 212.3 <MM> Gurgiunt 210.41 <MM> Gurgustius 210.34 <MQ> Guyon 200.5 <LR> Haemus 309.22 <LR> Haina 210.24 <LR> Hainaut 210.21 <MR> Hannibal 105.49 <PQ> Hate 207.22 <XX> heaven's King (God, great King) 110.36 <LM> Heavenfield 303.38 <LR> Hebrus 111.30 <FM> Hecate 101.43 <MM> Hector 209.45 <FM> Helen 207.55 <FM> Helena 210.59 <MM> Heli 210.45 <FM> Heliconian maids (Muse) 100.1 <FM> Helle 311.30 <FQ> Hellenore 309.6 <XP> Henalois 210.24 <MM> Hengist 210.65 <MM> Hercules (Alcides) 207.54 <NM> Hermaphroditus 312.46 (1590) <XX> Hesperus 102.6, 304.51 <LR> Highgate 309.46 <MM> Hippolytus 105.36 <LR> Hoe 210.10 <XX> Holy Grail 210.53 <MR> Homer 304.2 <PQ> Hope 312.13 (this is not Speranza, q.v.) <MM> Horsa 210.65 <XX> House of Agonies 209.52 <LQ> House of Holiness 110.3 <LQ> House of Pride 104.0 <LM> House of Proserpine (Tartarus) 311.1 <LQ> House of Temperance 209.0 <MR> Howell Dha 303.45 <MQ> Huddibras 202.17 <LR> Humber 210.16 <MM> Huon 201.6 <MM> Hyacinth 212.54, 306.45 <NM> Hydra 212.23; see also 107.17 <NQ> hyena [the creature sent after Florimell] 308.44 <MM> Hylas 312.7 <XX> Hymen io Hymen 101.48 <MQ> Hypocrisy (Archimago) 101.0 <FM> Hypsipyle 210.56 <LR> Ida 212.52, 311.54 <LQ> Idle Lake 206.10 <PQ> Idleness (Sloth) 104.18 <MQ> Ignaro 108.31 <LR> Ilium 309.34 <PQ> Impatience 211.23 <PQ> Impotence 211.23 <MM> Inachus 209.56 <LR> Ind 105.4 <LR> India 200.2, 210.72, 303.6 <XP> Indians 312.8 <PQ> Infirmity 312.25 <FM> Inogene 210.13 <FM> Iphimedia 311.42 <PQ> Ire (Wrath) 104.35 <LR> Ireland 209.24, 210.41, 303.33 <FM> Iris 311.47 <FM> Isse 311.39 <LR> Italy 210.13 <MM> Iulus 309.43 <MM> Ixion 105.35 <MB> Jacob 106.35 <MM> Jago 210.34 <PQ> Jar 204.41 <MM> Jason 212.44 <PQ> Jealousy (see also Malbecco) 207.22, 310.55 <LR> Jerusalem 110.57 <XP> Jews 207.62 <MQ> Jocante 201.45 <LR> Jordan 111.30 <MB> Joseph of Arimathea 210.53 <MM> Jove 100.3, 101.6, 104.11, 210.3, 210.70, 211.43, 311.30 <FM> Juno (Lucina) 212.13 <LR> Kent (Canutium, Cantium) 210.12 <MM> Kimarus 210.43 <MM> Kinmarcus 210.34 <MQ> Kirkrapine 103.22 <MQ> Labryde 106.21 <LR> Lacedaemon 309.34 <FQ> Lady of Delight 301.26 <FM> Lady of the Lake 303.10 <NQ> lamb [Una's] 101.4 <MM> Laomedon 211.19 <MM> Latinus 309.42 <LR> Latium 309.42 <FM> Latona 212.13 <LR> Layburn Plain 303.37 <MM> Lear 210.27 <PQ> Lechery 104.24 <FM> Leda 311.32 <MM> Leill 210.25 <XX> Lentulus 105.49 <LM> Lerna 107.17 <LM> Lethe 103.36 <FM> Liagore 304.41 <MM> Light (Phoebus, Day) 105.24 <LM> Limbo-lake 102.32 <LR> Lincoln 309.51 <NQ> lion [Una's champion] 103.5 <MM> Locrin 210.13 <LR> Logris 210.14 <PQ> Loss of Time 312.25 <LR> Lothian 303.37 <MM> Love (Cupid) 109.8 <FQ> Lucifera 104.12 <FM> Lucina (Diana, Cynthia, Phoebe, Juno) 201.53 <MB> Lucius 210.53 <MM> Lud I:304, 210.46 <MM> Lyaeus (Bacchus) 301.51 <MM> Maddan 210.20 <MM> Maglaunus 210.29 <LR> Magnes 212.4 <XX> Mahound (Termagant) 208.23 <XX> Maidenhead [Order of] 107.46 <MQ> Malbecco 309.6 <FQ> Malecasta 301.0 <MQ> Maleger 211.0 <MM> Malgo 303.31 <MQ> Malvenu 104.6 <MM> Mammon (Richesse) 207.0 <MM> Manlius 210.21 <LR> Maridunum (Caer-merdin) 303.7 <MQ> Marinell 304.0 <MR> Marius 105.49 <MM> Mars 100.3, 311.36 <FM> Martia 303.54 <FM> Matilda 303.13 <LR> Matraval 303.13 <MR> Maximian 210.61 <FQ> Mean (Medina) 202.0 <FM> Medea 212.44 <FQ> Medina (Mean) 202.14 <FM> Medusa 311.42 <FM> Memory (Mnemosyne) 303.4 <MM> Mempricius 210.21 <LR> Menevia [St David's] 303.55 <XP> Mercians 303.30 <MM> Mercury 212.41 <PQ> Mercy 110.34 <MM> Merlin 107.36 <MB> Methuselah 209.57 <FM> Minerva 309.22 <FQ> Mirth (Phaedria) 206.0 <PQ> Misfortune 204.17 <PQ> Mnemon 309.47 <FM> Mnemosyne 311.35 <LR> Mona [Anglesey] 303.48 <LR> Mongiball (Etna) 209.29 <MQ> Mordant 201.0 <XX> Morddure 208.21 <MM> Morgan 210.33 <XP> Morini 210.43 <MM> Morpheus (Sleep) 101.36 <MM> Morvidus 210.43 <MM> Mulciber (Vulcan) 207.5 <FM> Muse (Heliconian maids) 100.1, 212.52 <PQ> Music 112.38 <FM> Myrrha 307.26; 101.9 <MM> Narcissus 306.45 <PX> Nature 111.47 <LR> Nausa (Paros) 309.37 <LM> Nausicle 309.37 <LM> Nemea 205.31 <MM> Nennius 210.49 <MM> Neptune 103.32 <MM> Nereus 103.31, 304.19 <MM> Nestor (Pylian) 209.57 <LR> Neustria 303.47 <FM> Night [Nox] 101.39, 105.20, 304.54 <LR> Nile 101.21 <MB> Nimrod 105.48 <MM> Ninus 105.48 <MB> Noah 210.15 <MQ> Noctante 301.45 <LR> Northumber 303.39 <XP> Norwegians 303.33 <MM> Numa 210.39 <PQ> Obedience 110.17 <MM> Oberon 201.6, 210.75 <PQ> Occasion 204.0 <MR> Octa 303.52 <MR> Octavius 210.60 <FM> Oenone 309.36 <MM> Offric 303.37 <MQ> Ollyphant 307.48 <LM> Olympus 307.41 <MM> Orcus (Pluto) 212.41 <MQ> Orgoglio 107.14 <XX> Orion 103.31 <XX> Orion's hound [the star Sirius] 103.31 <LR> Orkney 303.37 <MB> Orsilochus 304.2 <MM> Osric 303.37 <LR> Ossa 210.3 <MM> Oswald 303.38 <MM> Oswy 303.39 <LQ> Overt Gate 309.46 <MM> Paean 304.41 <PQ> Pain 207.21 <FQ> Palladine 307.52 <MQ> palmer 201.7 <MM> Pan 209.40 <FM> Panope 308.37 <LQ> Panthea 110.58 <LR> Panwelt 210.63 <LR> Paphos 306.29 <MQ> Paridas 309.37 <MQ> Paridell 308.0 <MM> Paris 207.55 <MQ> Parius 309.36 <MQ> Parlante 301.45 <LM> Parnassus 212.52 <LR> Paros (Nausa) 309.36 <FM> Pasiphae 302.41 <PQ> Patience 110.23 <MR> Paulinus 210.55 <PQ> Peace 303.49 <NM> Pegasus 109.21, 311.42 <MM> Pellitus 303.36 <PQ> Penance 110.27 <MM> Penda 303.37 <FM> Penthesilea 304.2 <MQ> Peredure 210.44 <FQ> Perissa 202.36 <LR> Persia 102.13 <LR> Peru 200.2 <FQ> Phaedria (Mirth) 206.9 <MQ> Phantastes 209.52 <FQ> Phao 302.20 <MQ> Phedon 204.0 <MQ> Philemon 204.20 <FQ> Philotime 207.49 <FM> Philyra 311.43 <LM> Phlegethon 105.33 <FM> Phoebe (Diana, Cynthia, Lucina) 107.5 <MM> Phoebus (Day, Light) 100.4, 101.23, 102.1, 111.5, 209.48, 211.19, 303.4 <MM> Phoebus' fairest child [Phaethon] 104.9 <FM> Pholoe 106.15 <XP> Picts 210.61 <MB> Pilate 207.62 <LR> Pindus 304.41 <LB> Pishon 107.43 <PQ> Pleasance 312.18 <FQ> Pleasure (Acrasia) 201.0 <PX> Pleasure [Volupia] 306.50 <MM> Pluto (Orcus) 101.37 <MR> Pompey 105.49 <MM> Porrex 210.34 <PQ> Poverty 312.25 <PQ> Praise-desire 209.39 <MR> Praxiteles 300.2 <MM> Priam 203.31 <PQ> Pride 104.0 <MB> Prince of Darkness (Satan, dragon) 308.8 <MM> Prometheus 210.70 <FM> Proserpine (Thracian maid) 102.2 <MM> Proteus 102.10, 304.25 <FQ> Pryene 204.25 <FM> Psyche 306.50 <MR> Ptolemy 302.20 <MM> Pubidius 303.13 <MM> Pylian (Nestor) 209.48 <MQ> Pyrochles 204.41 <MM> Pyrrhus 203.31 <FQ> Queen of Faeries (Faery Queen, Queen of Faery, Gloriana) 109.14 <FQ> Queen of Faery (Faery Queen, Queen of Faeries, Gloriana) 209.4 <PQ> Rancour 204.44 <LR> Rauran 109.4 <PQ> Reason 204.34 <MQ> Redcross (George, Georgos) 101.0, 102.0 <XX> Redeemer (Christ, Saviour) 201.27 <FM> Regan 210.28 <PQ> Remorse 110.27 <PQ> Repentance 110.27 <PQ> Reproach 312.24 <PQ> Revenge 204.44, 207.22 <PQ> Reverence 110.7 <LR> Rhodope 212.52 <MR> Rhodri 303.45 <LQ> Rich Strand 304.0 <MQ> Richesse (Mammon) 207.24 <PQ> Riotise 312.25 <LR> Riphaean hills 308.6 <MM> Rivallo 210.34 <LR> River Dee 109.4 <LQ> Rock of Reproach 212.8 <XP> Romans 210.47 <LR> Rome 210.40 <MM> Romulus 105.49, 309.43 <MM> Ruddoc 210.38 <MQ> Ruddymane 203.2 <XP> Russian 211.26 <MM> Ryence 302.18 <MM> Sabrina 210.19 <XX> Saint Francis' fire 104.35 <XX> Sanglamort 310.32 <MQ> Sansfoy 102.12 <MQ> Sansjoy 102.25 <MQ> Sansloy 102.25 <XP> Saracen 102.12 <MB> Satan (dragon, Prince of Darkness) 104.36 <MM> Saturn 311.43 <MQ> Satyrane 106.28 <MM> satyrs 106.7, 310.0 <XX> Saviour (Christ, Redeemer) 109.19 <XP> Saxon 303.29 <LR> Scaldis 210.24 <LM> Scamander 309.35 <MR> Scipio 105.49 <MQ> Scudamour 306.53 <LR> Selinus 107.32 <FM> Semele 311.33 <FM> Semiramis 105.50, 210.56 <LR> Severn 210.14, 210.19, 210.54 <MR> Severus 210.57 <PQ> Shame 105.26 <PQ> Shamefastness 209.43 <LB> Siloam 111.30 <MM> Silvanus 106.7 <MM> Silvius 309.48 <MB> Sisera 304.2 <MM> Sisilius 210.43 <MM> Sisillius 210.34 <MM> Sisyphus 105.35 <LR> Six Islands 303.32 <MM> Sleep (Morpheus) 101.40, 304.54 <PQ> Sloth (Idleness) 104.36 <NQ> snowy lady [Snowy Florimell] 308.0 <MR> Socrates 207.52 <FQ> Sophy 209.6 <PQ> Sorrow 107.25 <LR> South Wales (Dehenbarth) 302.18 <LR> Spain 210.41 <LR> Spau 111.30 <FQ> Speranza 110.4 <NQ> Spumador 211.19 <MQ> Squire of Dames 307.51 <MM> Stater 210.38 <FM> Sthenoboea 105.50 <LR> Stonehenge 210.66 <LR> Stremona 107.17 <PQ> Strife 204.0 <LM> Styx 101.37, 306.24, 306.46 <MR> Sulla 105.49 <PQ> Suspect 312.14 <FM> Tanaquil 100.2, 210.76 <MM> Tantalus 105.35 <MR> Tarquin 105.49 <XP> Tartar 211.26 <LM> Tartarus (House of Proserpine) 107.44 <LM> Tempe 212.52 <FQ> Temperance (Alma) 211.0 <MM> Tenuantius 210.46 <XX> Termagant (Mahound) 208.30 <MQ> Terwin 109.27 <FM> Tethys 101.39 <LR> Thames 309.45 <LR> Thebes 209.45 <MQ> Therion 106.21 <MM> Theseus 105.35 <FM> Thracian maid (Proserpine) 311.35 <FQ> Thyamis 106.21 <LR> Tiber 102.22 <PX> Time 306.39 <MQ> Timias 301.18 (he first appears at 107.29) <MQ> Timon 109.4 <MM> Titan 102.7, 104.8 <MM> Titans 207.41, 307.47 <MM> Tithonus 102.7 <MM> Tityus 105.35 <FR> Tomyris 210.56 <LR> Tours 301.34 <MR> Trahern 210.60 <PQ> Treason 207.22 <XX> Tree of Life 111.46 <MQ> Trevisan 109.0 <MM> Triton 304.33 <MM> Trojan boy [Ganymede] 311.34 <XP> Trojans 207.55 <MQ> Trompart 203.10 <LR> Troy 203.31 <LM> Troynovant 210.46 <FQ> Truth (Una, Errant Damsel) 102.0 <MM> Tryphon 304.43 <MM> Typhoeus 105.35 <MM> Ulfin 303.55 <MQ> Umilta 110.5 <FQ> Una (Truth, Errant Damsel) 101.45 <PQ> Unthriftihead 212.18 <MM> Uther 210.68, 303.55 <PQ> Vanity 104.13 <FM> Venus (Cytherea, Dame Pleasure) 100.3, 306.2 <MQ> Verdant 212.82 <MR> Vespasian 210.52 <MM> Vigenius 210.44 <LR> Virginia 200.2 <MM> Vortigern 210.64 <MM> Vortimer 210.66 <MM> Vortipore 303.31 <MM> Vulcan (Mulciber) 207.36 <LQ> Wandering Islands 212.11 <LQ> Wandering Wood 101.13 <MM> Wasserman 212.24 <LB> Well of Life 111.29 <LQ> Whirlpool of Decay 212.20 <FM> Widen 210.35 <FQ> witch 307.6 <MQ> witch's son 307.12 <PQ> Woe 304.55 <MR> Worthies [the nine Worthies] 303.4 <PQ> Wrath (Ire) 104.33 <LM> Xanthus 309.35 <MM> Ymner 210.38 <PQ> Zeal 110.6 <MM> Zephyr 205.29 <MR> Zeuxis 300.2

=> CONTENTS

Title page
Dedication
A letter to Sir Walter Raleigh
Commendatory Verses
A Vision vpon this conceipt of the Faery Queene
Another of the same (W. R.)
To the learned Shepheard (Hobinoll)
Fayre Thamis streame, that from Ludds stately towne (R. S.)
Graue Muses march in triumph and with prayses (H. B.)
When stout Achilles heard of Helens rape (W. L.)
To looke vpon a work of rare deuise (Ignoto)
Dedicatory Sonnets
Sir Christopher Hatton
William Cecil, Lord Burleigh
Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford
Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland
George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex
Thomas Butler, Earl of Ormond and Ossory
Charles, Lord Howard of Effingham
Henry Carey, Lord Hunsdon
Arthur, Lord Grey de Wilton
Thomas Sackville, Earl of Dorset and Baron Buckhurst
Sir Francis Walsingham
Sir John Norris
Sir Walter Raleigh
Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke
Lady Elizabeth Spencer Carey
Ladies in the Court

Book I THE LEGEND OF THE KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSSE, OR OF HOLINESSE Proem [4] Canto i The Patron of true Holinesse, Foule Errour doth defeate: Hypocrisie him to entrape, Doth to his home entreate. [55] Canto ii The guilefull great Enchaunter parts The Redcrosse Knight from Truth: Into whose stead faire falshood steps, And workes him wofull ruth. [45] Canto iii Forsaken Truth long seekes her loue, And makes the Lyon mylde, Marres blind Deuotions mart, and fals In hand of leachour vylde. [44] Canto iv To sinfull house of Pride, Duessa guides the faithfull knight, Where brothers death to wreak Sansioy doth chalenge him to fight. [51] Canto v The faithfull knight in equall field subdewes his faithlesse foe, Whom false Duessa saues, and for his cure to hell does goe. [53] Canto vi From lawlesse lust by wondrous grace fayre Vna is releast: Whom saluage nation does adore, and learnes her wise beheast. [48] Canto vii The Redcrosse knight is captiue made By Gyaunt proud opprest, Prince Arthur meets with Vna great- ly with those newes distrest. [52] Canto viii Faire virgin to redeeme her deare brings Arthur to the fight: Who slayes the Gyant, wounds the beast, and strips Duessa quight. [50] Canto ix His loues and lignage Arthur tells: The knights knit friendly bands: Sir Treuisan flies from Despayre, Whom Redcrosse knight withstands. [54] Canto x Her faithfull knight faire Vna brings to house of Holinesse, Where he is taught repentance, and the way to heauenly blesse. [68] Canto xi The knight with that old Dragon fights two dayes incessantly: The third him ouerthrowes, and gayns most glorious victory. [55] Canto xii Faire Vna to the Redcrosse knight betrouthed is with ioy: Though false Duessa it to barre her false sleights doe imploy. [42]

Book II THE LEGEND OF SIR GVYON, OR OF TEMPERAVNCE Proem [5] Canto i Guyon by Archimage abusd, The Redcrosse knight awaytes, Findes Mordant and Amauia slaine With pleasures poisoned baytes. [61] Canto ii Babes bloudie hands may not be clensd, the face of golden Meane. Her sisters two Extremities: striue her to banish cleane. [46] Canto iii Vaine Braggadocchio getting Guyons horse is made the scorne Of knighthood trew, and is of fayre Belphoebe fowle forlorne. [46] Canto iv Guyon does Furor bind in chaines, and stops Occasion: Deliuers Phedon, and therefore by strife is rayld vpon. [46] Canto v Pyrochles does with Guyon fight, And Furors chayne vnbinds Of whom sore hurt, for his reuenge Atin Cymochles finds. [38] Canto vi Guyon is of immodest Merth, led into loose desire, Fights with Cymochles, whiles his bro- ther burnes in furious fire. [51] Canto vii Guyon findes Mamon in a delue, Sunning his threasure hore: Is by him tempted, and led downe, To see his secret store. [66] Canto viii Sir Guyon laid in swowne is by Acrates sonnes despoyld, Whom Arthur soone hath reskewed And Paynim brethren foyld. [56] Canto ix The house of Temperance, in which doth sober Alma dwell, Besiegd of many foes, whom straunger knightes to flight compell. [60] Canto x A chronicle of Briton kings, from Brute to Vthers rayne. And rolles of Elfin Emperours, till time of Gloriane. [77] Canto xi The enimies of Temperaunce besiege her dwelling place: Prince Arthur them repelles, and fowle Maleger doth deface. [49] Canto xii Guyon by Palmers gouernance, passing through perils great, Doth ouerthrow the Bowre of blisse, and Acrasie defeat. [87]

Book III THE LEGEND OF BRITOMARTIS, OR OF CHASTITIE Proem [5] Canto i Guyon encountreth Britomart, faire Florimell is chaced: Duessaes traines and Malecastaes champions are defaced. [67] Canto ii The Redcrosse knight to Britomart describeth Artegall: The wondrous myrrhour, by which she in loue with him did fall. [52] Canto iii Merlin bewrayes to Britomart, the state of Artegall. And shewes the famous Progeny which from them springen shall. [62] Canto iv Bold Marinell of Britomart, Is throwne on the Rich strond: Faire Florimell of Arthur is Long followed, but not fond. [61] Canto v Prince Arthur heares of Florimell: three fosters Timias wound, Belphebe finds him almost dead, and reareth out of sownd. [55] Canto vi The birth of faire Belphoebe and Of Amoret is told. The Gardins of Adonis fraught With pleasures manifold. [54] Canto vii The witches sonne loues Florimell: she flyes, he faines to die. Satyrane saues the Squire of Dames from Gyants tyrannie. [61] Canto viii The Witch creates a snowy Lady, like to Florimell, Who wrongd by Carle by Proteus sau'd, is sought by Paridell. [52] Canto ix Malbecco will no straunge knights host, For peeuish gealosie: Paridell giusts with Britomart: Both shew their auncestrie. [53] Canto x Paridell rapeth Hellenore: Malbecco her pursewes: Findes emongst Satyres, whence with him To turne she doth refuse. [60] Canto xi Britomart chaceth Ollyphant, findes Scudamour distrest: Assayes the house of Busyrane, where Loues spoyles are exprest. [55] Canto xii The maske of Cupid, and th'enchaunted Chamber are displayd, Whence Britomart redeemes faire Amoret, through charmes decayd. [45]

Canto xii, Stanzas 43-7 (from the 1590 edition)
[5]

(Numbers in square brackets show the number of stanzas in each canto)

=> INTRODUCTORY MATTER:

1
2 THE FAERIE
3 QVEENE.
4
5 Disposed into twelue bookes,
6 Fashioning
7 XII. Morall vertues.
8
9
10
11 LONDON
12
13 Printed for William Ponsonbie.
14
15 1596.
16
17
18
1
2 THE FAERY

FAERY > (An archaic variant of "fairy", used by Spenser to denote the
imaginary land, analogous to Britain, where his poem is set)

3 QUEEN
4
5 _Disposed into twelve books,
6 fashioning

fashioning > representing, exemplifying

7 twelve moral virtues_ 8 9 10 11 LONDON 12 13 Printed for William Ponsonby 14 15 1596 16 17 18 19 20 TO 21 22 THE MOST HIGH, 23 MIGHTIE 24 And 25 MAGNIFICENT 26 EMPRESSE RENOW- 27 MED FOR PIETIE, VER- 28 TVE, AND ALL GRATIOVS 29 GOVERNMENT ELIZABETH BY 30 THE GRACE OF GOD QVEENE 31 OF ENGLAND FRAVNCE AND 32 IRELAND AND OF VIRGI- 33 NIA, DEFENDOVR OF THE 34 FAITH, &c. HER MOST 35 HVMBLE SERVAVNT 36 EDMVND SPENSER 37 DOTH IN ALL HV- 38 MILITIE DEDI- 39 CATE, PRE- 40 SENT 41 AND CONSECRATE THESE 42 HIS LABOVRS TO LIVE 43 WITH THE ETERNI- 44 TIE OF HER 45 FAME. 46 19 20 TO 21 22 THE MOST HIGH, 23 MIGHTY 24 And 25 MAGNIFICENT 26 EMPRESS, RENOW- 27 NED FOR PIETY, VIR- 28 TUE, AND ALL GRACIOUS 29 GOVERNMENT: ELIZABETH, BY 30 THE GRACE OF GOD QUEEN 31 OF ENGLAND, FRANCE AND 32 IRELAND AND OF VIRGI- 33 NIA; DEFENDER OF THE 34 FAITH, etc., HER MOST 35 HUMBLE SERVANT 36 EDMUND SPENSER 37 DOES, IN ALL HU- 38 MILITY, DEDI- 39 CATE, PRE- 40 SENT 41 AND CONSECRATE THESE 42 HIS LABOURS TO LIVE 43 WITH THE ETERNI- 44 TY OF HER 45 FAME. 46 47 48 A 49 Letter of the Authors expounding his 50 whole intention in the course of this worke: which 51 for that it giueth great light to the Reader, for 52 the better vnderstanding is hereunto 53 annexed. 54 55 To the Right noble, and Valorous, Sir Walter 56 Raleigh knight, Lo. Wardein of the Stanneryes, and 57 her Maiesties liefetenaunt of the County of Corne- 58 wayll. 59 60 Sir knowing how doubtfully all Allegories may be 61 construed, and this booke of mine, which I haue entituled the 62 Faery Queene, being a continued Allegory, or darke conceit, I 63 haue thought good aswell for auoyding of gealous opinions and 64 misconstructions, as also for your better light in reading 65 therof, (being so by you commanded,) to discouer vnto you 66 the general intention and meaning, which in the whole 67 course thereof I haue fashioned, without expressing of any 68 particular purposes or by accidents therein occasioned. The 69 generall end therefore of all the booke is to fashion a 70 gentleman or noble person in vertuous and gentle discipline: 71 Which for that I conceiued shoulde be most plausible and 72 pleasing, being coloured with an historicall fiction, the which 73 the most part of men delight to read, rather for variety of 74 matter, then for profite of the ensample: I chose the historye of 75 king Arthure, as most fitte for the excellency of his person, 76 being made famous by many mens former workes, and also 77 furthest from the daunger of enuy, and suspition of present 78 time. In which I haue followed all the antique Poets 79 historicall, first Homere, who in the Persons of Agamemnon 80 and Vlysses hath ensampled a good gouernour and a vertuous 81 man, the one in his Ilias, the other in his Odysseis: then 82 Virgil, whose like intention was to doe in the person of 83 Aeneas: after him Ariosto comprised them both in his 84 Orlando: and lately Tasso disseuered them againe, and formed 85 both parts in two persons, namely that part which they in 86 Philosophy call Ethice, or vertues of a priuate man, coloured 87 in his Rinaldo: The other named Politice in his Godfredo. 88 By ensample of which excellente Poets, I labour to pourtraict in 89 Arthure, before he was king, the image of a braue knight, 90 perfected in the twelue priuate morall vertues, as Aristotle hath 91 deuised, the which is the purpose of these first twelue bookes: 92 which if I finde to be well accepted, I may be perhaps 93 encoraged, to frame the other part of polliticke vertues in his 94 person, after that hee came to be king. To some I know this 95 Methode will seeme displeasaunt, which had rather haue good 96 discipline deliuered plainly in way of precepts, or sermoned 97 at large, as they vse, then thus clowdily enwrapped in 98 Allegoricall deuises. But such, me seeme, should be satisfide 99 with the vse of these dayes seeing all things accounted by 100 their showes, and nothing esteemed of, that is not delightfull 101 and pleasing to commune sence. For this cause is Xenophon 102 preferred before Plato, for that the one in the exquisite depth 103 of his iudgement, formed a Commune welth such as it should 104 be, but the other in the person of Cyrus and the Persians 105 fashioned a gouernement such as might best be: So much 106 more profitable and gratious is doctrine by ensample, 107 then by rule. So haue I laboured to doe in the person of Arthure: 108 whome I conceiue after his long education by Timon, to 109 whom he was by Merlin deliuered to be brought vp, so soone 110 as he was borne of the Lady Igrayne, to haue seene in a dream 111 or vision the Faery Queen, with whose excellent beauty 112 rauished, he awaking resolued to seeke her out, and so being 113 by Merlin armed, and by Timon throughly instructed, he 114 went to seeke her forth in Faerye land. In that Faery Queene I 115 meane glory in my generall intention, but in my particular I 116 conceiue the most excellent and glorious person of our 117 soueraine the Queene, and her kingdome in Faery land. And 118 yet in some places els, I doe otherwise shadow her. For 119 considering she beareth two persons, the one of a most royall 120 Queene or Empresse, the other of a most vertuous and beautifull 121 Lady, this latter part in some places I doe ezpresse in Belph{oe}be, 122 fashioning her name according to your owne excellent 123 conceipt of Cynthia, (Ph{ae}be and Cynthia being both names 124 of Diana.) So in the person of Prince Arthure I sette forth 125 magnificence in particular, which vertue for that (according to 126 Aristotle and the rest) it is the perfection of all the rest, and 127 conteineth in it them all, therefore in the whole course I 128 mention the deedes of Arthure applyable to that vertue, which 129 I write of in that booke. But of the xii. other vertues, I 130 make xii. other knights the patrones, for the more variety 131 of the history: Of which these three bookes contayn three. The 132 first of the knight of the Redcrosse, in whome I expresse 133 Holynes: The seconde of Sir Guyon, in whome I sette forth 134 Temperaunce: The third of Britomartis a Lady knight, in 135 whome I picture Chastity. But because the beginning of the 136 whole worke seemeth abrupte and as depending vpon other 137 antecedents, it needs that ye know the occasion of these 138 three knights seuerall aduentures. For the Methode of a Poet 139 historical is not such, as of an Historiographer. For an 140 Historiographer discourseth of affayres orderly as they were 141 donne, accounting as well the times as the actions, but a Poet 142 thrusteth into the middest, euen where it most concerneth him, 143 and there recoursing to the thinges forepaste, and diuining 144 of thinges to come, maketh a pleasing Analysis of all. The 145 beginning therefore of my history, if it were to be told by an 146 Historiographer should be the twelfth booke, which is the 147 last, where I deuise that the Faery Queene kept her Annuall 148 feaste xii. dayes, vppon which xii. seuerall dayes, the 149 occasions of the xii. seuerall aduentures hapned, which 150 being vndertaken by xii. seuerall knights, are in these 151 xii. books seuerally handled and discoursed. The first 152 was this. In the beginning of the feast, there presented him selfe a 153 tall clownishe younge man, who falling before the Queen of 154 Faries desired a boone (as the manner then was) which 155 during that feast she might not refuse: which was that hee 156 might haue the atchieuement of any aduenture, which during 157 that feaste should happen, that being graunted, he rested him 158 on the floore, vnfitte through his rusticity for a better place. 159 Soone after entred a faire Ladye in mourning weedes, riding on a 160 white Asse, with a dwarfe behind her leading a warlike steed, 161 that bore the Armes of a knight, and his speare in the dwarfes 162 hand. Shee falling before the Queene of Faeries, complayned 163 that her father and mother an ancient King and Queene, had 164 bene by an huge dragon many years shut vp in a brasen Castle, 165 who thence suffred them not to yssew: and therefore 166 besought the Faery Queene to assygne her some one of her 167 knights to take on him that exployt. Presently that clownish 168 person vpstarting, desired that aduenture: whereat the 169 Queene much wondering, and the Lady much gainesaying, yet 170 he earnestly importuned his desire. In the end the Lady told 171 him that vnlesse that armour which she brought, would serue 172 him (that is the armour of a Christian man specified by Saint 173 Paul v. Ephes.) that he could not succeed in that 174 enterprise, which being forthwith put vpon him with dewe 175 furnitures thereunto, he seemed the goodliest man in al that 176 company, and was well liked of the Lady. And eftesoones taking 177 on him knighthood, and mounting on that straunge Courser, 178 he went forth with her on that aduenture: where beginneth the 179 first booke, vz. 180 181 A gentle knight was pricking on the playne. &c. 182 183 The second day ther came in a Palmer bearing an Infant 184 with bloody hands, whose Parents he complained to haue 185 bene slayn by an Enchaunteresse called Acrasia: and therfore 186 craued of the Faery Queene, to appoint him some knight, to 187 performe that aduenture, which being assigned to Sir 188 Guyon, he presently went forth with that same Palmer: 189 which is the beginning of the second booke and the whole 190 subiect thereof. The third day there came in, a Groome who 191 complained before the Faery Queene, that a vile Enchaunter 192 called Busirane had in hand a most faire Lady called Amoretta, 193 whom he kept in most grieuous torment, because she would 194 not yield him the pleasure of her body. Whereupon Sir 195 Scudamour the louer of that Lady presently tooke on him 196 that aduenture. But being vnable to performe it by reason of 197 the hard Enchauntments, after long sorrow, in the end met 198 with Britomartis, who succoured him, and reskewed his loue. 199 But by occasion hereof, many other aduentures are 200 intermedled, but rather as Accidents, then intendments. As 201 the loue of Britomart, the ouerthrow of Marinell, the misery 202 of Florimell, the vertuousnes of Belph{oe}be, the 203 lasciuiousnes of Hellenora, and many the like. 204 Thus much Sir, I haue briefly ouerronne to direct your 205 vnderstanding to the wel-head of the History, that from 206 thence gathering the whole intention of the conceit, ye may 207 as in a handfull gripe al the discourse, which otherwise may 208 happily seeme tedious and confused. So humbly crauing the 209 continuaunce of your honorable fauour towards me, and 210 th'eternall establishment of your happines, I humbly take leaue. 211 23. Ianuary. 1589. 212 213 Yours most humbly affectionate. 214 Ed. Spenser. 215 47 48 A 49 letter of the author's, expounding his 50 whole intention in the course of this work: which, 51 +for+ that it gives great light to the reader, for

for > [in]

52 the better understanding is hereto
53 annexed.
54
55 _To the Right Noble and Valorous Sir Walter
56 Raleigh, Knight, Lord Warden of the Stannaries, and

Raleigh > (1552-1618, poet, scholar, soldier, explorer, statesman, and
a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, who granted him, in 1584, a patent
for the exploration and settlement of the Americas. Later he fell
from her good graces, and after many hardships and adventures was
beheaded by James I. Probably an exact contemporary of Spenser.
He had a huge estate near Spenser's in southern Ireland, and under
his auspices FQ was published and dedicated to Elizabeth)
Stannaries > (The districts comprising the tin mines in Devon and
Cornwall, under the jurisdiction of the Stannary courts)

57 Her Majesty's Lieutenant of the County of Corn-
58 wall._
59
60 Sir, Knowing how doubtfully all allegories may be

doubtfully > ambiguously

61 construed, and this book of mine, which I have entitled The 62 Faery Queen, being a continued allegory, or dark conceit, I

dark > concealed, veiled conceit > conception

63 have thought good, as well for avoiding jealous opinions and

good > [it good] as well > both

64 misconstructions, as also for your better light in reading

as also > [and]

65 thereof, (being so by you commanded), to discover to you

discover to > tell, reveal to

66 the general intention and meaning, which in the whole 67 course thereof I have fashioned, without expressing any 68 particular purposes or by accidents therein occasioned. The

by accidents > side issues

69 general end, therefore, of all the book is to fashion a

fashion > represent; also: mould, train

70 gentleman or noble person in virtuous and gentle discipline:

gentle > noble; courteous; graceful

71 which for that I conceived should be most plausible and

for that > [to that end] plausible > popularly acceptable, agreeable

72 pleasing, being coloured with an historical fiction, which

coloured > painted, depicted; disguised

73 the most part of men delight to read rather for variety of

the most part of > [most]

74 matter than for profit of the example. I chose the history of 75 King Arthur, as most fit for the excellency of his person,

excellency > excellence

76 being made famous by many men's former works, and also 77 furthest from the danger of envy and suspicion of present

suspicion > [suspicion of political bias]

78 time. In which I have followed all the antique poets

antique > ancient (esp. of ancient Greece and Rome)

79 historical, first Homer who, in the persons of Agamemnon 80 and Ulysses, has ensampled a good governor and a virtuous

ensampled > exemplified

81 man: the one in his Iliad, the other in his Odyssey; then 82 Virgil, whose like intention was to do in the person of

like > similar

83 Aeneas; after him, Ariosto comprised them both in his

Aeneas > (Central character of Virgil's Aeneid)
Ariosto > (Lodovico Ariosto, 1474-1533, Italian poet)

84 Orlando; and lately Tasso dissevered them again, and formed

Orlando > (Orlando Furioso, 1516) Tasso > (Torquato Tasso, 1544-1595, Italian poet) dissevered > separated

85 both parts in two persons, namely that part which they in 86 Philosophy call Ethics, or virtues of a private man, coloured

coloured > depicted

87 in his Rinaldo: the other, named Politics, in his Godfredo.

Rinaldo > (Rinaldo, 1562)
Godfredo > (Count Godfredo, central character of Gerusalemme
Liberata, 1581)

88 By example of which excellent poets, I labour to portray in 89 Arthur, before he was king, the image of a brave knight,

brave > brave; splendid

90 perfected in the twelve private moral virtues, as Aristotle has

Aristotle > (Or rather, Aquinas and other medieval interpreters of Aristotle's Nicomachaean Ethics; Aristotle himself devises no such scheme)

91 devised, which is the purpose of these first twelve books: 92 which if I find to be well accepted, I may be perhaps 93 encouraged to frame the other part of political virtues in his 94 person, after he came to be king. To some I know this 95 method will seem displeasant, which had rather have good

displeasant > disagreeable which had > [who would]

96 discipline delivered plainly, by way of precepts, or sermoned 97 at large, as they use, than thus cloudily enwrapped in

use > are accustomed to

98 allegorical devices. But such, me seem, should be satisfied

me seem > [it seems to me]

99 with the use of these days, seeing all things accounted by

use > custom

100 their shows, and nothing esteemed of, that is not delightful

shows > appearances

101 and pleasing to common sense. For this cause is Xenophon

Xenophon > (In Cyropaedia)

102 preferred before Plato: for that the one, in the exquisite depth

before > [to] Plato > (In the Republic) for > [in]

103 of his judgement, formed a commonwealth such as it should 104 be; but the other, in the person of Cyrus and the Persians, 105 fashioned a government such as might best be; so much 106 more profitable and gracious is doctrine by example, than 107 by rule. So have I laboured to do in the person of Arthur: 108 whom I conceive (after his long education by Timon, to

Timon > (The "Faery knight" of 109.3:8. "Timon" is a Greek personal
name meaning "he who is honoured", "he who is held in respect".
Spenser is referring here to Sir Ector, to whom (in Malory)
Arthur's upbringing was entrusted by Merlin)

109 whom he was by Merlin delivered to be brought up, so soon

Merlin > (The great soothsayer and magician of the Arthurian cycle)

110 as he was born of the Lady Igerna) to have seen in a dream or

Igerna > (Widow of Gorlois, Duke of Tintagel, in Cornwall. She married Uther Pendragon, Arthur's father, thirteen days after the Duke's death)

111 vision the Faery Queen; with whose excellent beauty 112 ravished, he, awaking, resolved to seek her out, and so being 113 by Merlin armed, and by Timon thoroughly instructed, 114 went to seek her forth in Faery Land. In that Faery Queen I 115 mean glory in my general intention, but in my particular I 116 conceive the most excellent and glorious person of our 117 sovereign the Queen, and her kingdom in Faery Land. And 118 yet, in some places else, I do otherwise shadow her. For,

else > elsewhere shadow > symbolize, depict

119 considering she bears two persons, the one of a most royal 120 queen or empress, the other of a most virtuous and beautiful 121 lady, this latter part in some places I do express in Belphoebe, 122 fashioning her name according to your own excellent 123 conceit of Cynthia (Phoebe and Cynthia being both names

conceit > conception, idea
Cynthia > (Raleigh's poem in praise of Queen Elizabeth is called The
Ocean's Love to Cynthia; of this, only one book has survived)

124 of Diana). So in the person of Prince Arthur I set forth

Diana > (Virgin goddess of hunting and of the moon)

125 magnificence in particular, which virtue (according to 126 Aristotle and the rest) is the perfection of all the rest, and 127 contains in it them all: therefore in the whole course I

contains in it > [encompasses]

128 mention the deeds of Arthur appliable to that virtue, which

appliable > {Having reference, applicable}

129 I write of in that book. But of the twelve other virtues, I 130 make twelve other knights the patrons, for the more variety

patrons > patterns, exemplars; also: champions more > greater

131 of the history: of which these three books contain three. The

history > story
these three books > (Books I-III, first published in 1590, with which
this letter was included)

132 first of the Knight of the Redcross, in whom I express 133 Holiness; the second of Sir Guyon, in whom I set forth 134 Temperance; the third of Britomart, a lady knight, in 135 whom I picture Chastity. But because the beginning of the 136 whole work seems abrupt and as depending upon other

as > [as though]

137 antecedents, it needs that you know the occasion of these

needs > is necessary

138 three knights' several adventures. For the method of a poet

several > different, individual

139 historical is not such as of a historiographer. For a

historical > [writing historical or epic works] such as > [like that] historiographer > chronicler, historian

140 historiographer discourses of affairs orderly, as they were

orderly > in sequence

141 done, accounting as well the times as the actions, but a poet

well > [much] times > dates

142 thrusts into the middest, even where it most concerns him,

middest > middle [of the story; cf. in medias res (Horace, Ars Poetica 148-9)]

143 and there, recoursing to the things forepassed, and divining

recoursing > returning forepassed > [which have already happened]

144 of things to come, makes a pleasing analysis of all. The 145 beginning, therefore, of my history, if it were to be told by a 146 historiographer, should be the twelfth book, which is the 147 last, where I devise that the Faery Queen kept her annual

devise > contrive; conjecture, conceive kept > observed, celebrated

148 feast +twelve+ days, upon which twelve several days, the

twelve > [over a period of twelve] several > different

149 occasions of the twelve several adventures happened: which

occasions > {Causes; circumstances giving rise to the origins}

150 (being undertaken by twelve several knights) are in these 151 twelve books severally handled and discoursed. The first was 152 this. In the beginning of the feast, there presented himself a 153 tall, clownish young man who, falling before the Queen of

clownish > rustic, unsophisticated

154 Faeries, desired a boon (as the manner then was), which

boon > favour, request

155 during that feast she might not refuse: which was that he 156 might have the achievement of any adventure which during

achievement > {The action of achieving; the opportunity to pursue and successfully conclude}

157 that feast should happen; that being granted, he rested him

him > [himself]

158 on the floor, unfit through his rusticity for a better place. 159 Soon after entered a fair lady in mourning weeds, riding on a

weeds > clothing, attire

160 white ass, with a dwarf behind her leading a warlike steed, 161 that bore the arms of a knight, and his spear in the dwarf's

arms > {Weapons, shield and armour}

162 hand. She, falling before the Queen of Faeries, complained 163 that her father and mother (an ancient king and queen) had 164 been by a huge dragon many years shut up in a brazen castle, 165 who thence suffered them not to issue: and therefore

suffered > allowed issue > come out

166 besought the Faery Queen to assign her some one of her 167 knights to take on him that exploit. Presently that clownish

Presently > Promptly, at once

168 person, upstarting, desired that adventure: whereat the

upstarting > starting up, getting up whereat > at which, whereupon

169 queen much wondering, and the lady much gainsaying, yet 170 he earnestly importuned his desire. In the end the lady told

importuned > pressed

171 him that unless that armour which she brought would serve

brought > [had brought]

172 him (that is, the armour of a Christian man, specified by St 173 Paul, Ephesians 6.11-17), he could not succeed in that 174 enterprise; which being forthwith put upon him with due

due > appropriate

175 furnitures thereto, he seemed the goodliest man in all that

furnitures > gear, fittings goodliest > most handsome

176 company, and was well liked of the lady. And eftsoons taking

of > by eftsoons > thereupon

177 on him knighthood, and mounting on that strange courser, 178 he went forth with her on that adventure: where begins the 179 first book, viz. 180 181 A gentle knight was pricking on the plain, etc.

gentle > generous, courteous pricking > spurring his horse, riding

182 183 The second day there came in a palmer bearing an infant

palmer > {A pilgrim who has returned from the Holy Land, carrying a palm-leaf or palm-branch as a token; or: an itinerant monk}

184 with bloody hands, whose parents he complained to have 185 been slain by an enchantress called Acrasia: and therefore 186 craved of the Faery Queen to appoint him some knight to 187 perform that adventure, which being assigned to Sir 188 Guyon, he presently went forth with that same palmer: 189 which is the beginning of the second book and the whole 190 subject thereof. The third day there came in a groom, who

groom > young man

191 complained before the Faery Queen that a vile enchanter 192 called Busirane had in hand a most fair lady called Amoret,

hand > custody

193 whom he kept in most grievous torment, because she would 194 not yield him the pleasure of her body. Whereupon Sir 195 Scudamour, the lover of that lady, presently took on him 196 that adventure. But being unable to perform it by reason of 197 the hard enchantments, after long sorrow, in the end met 198 with Britomartis, who succoured him, and rescued his love. 199 But by occasion hereof, many other adventures are 200 intermeddled, but rather as accidents than intendments. As

intermeddled > mixed in
intendments > intentions (i.e. episodes which have an intentional
bearing on the allegory)
As > [For example,]

201 the love of Britomart, the overthrow of Marinell, the misery 202 of Florimell, the virtuousness of Belphoebe, the 203 lasciviousness of Hellenore, and many the like. 204 Thus much, sir, I have briefly overrun to direct your 205 understanding to the well-head of the history, that from

well-head > source history > story that > [so that]

206 thence, gathering the whole intention of the conceit, you may,

conceit > conception, idea, scheme

207 as in a handful, grip all the discourse, which otherwise may

grip > grasp, understand

208 haply seem tedious and confused. So, humbly craving the

haply > perhaps

209 continuance of your honourable favour towards me, and the 210 eternal establishment of your happiness, I humbly take leave. 211 23 January, 1590

1590 > (New Style: before the Gregorian calendar was adopted in England and Scotland in 1751, the new year began not on 1 January but on 25 March)

212 213 Yours most humbly affectionate, 214 Edmund Spenser 215 216 217 218 219 220 A Vision vpon this conceipt of the 221 Faery Queene. 222 223 ME thought I saw the graue, where Laura lay, 224 Within that Temple, where the vestall flame 225 Was wont to burne, and passing by that way, 226 To see that buried dust of liuing fame, 227 Whose tombe faire loue, and fairer vertue kept, 228 All suddenly I saw the Faery Queene: 229 At whose approch the soule of Petrarke wept, 230 And from thenceforth those graces were not seene. 231 For they this Queene attended, in whose steed 232 Obliuion laid him downe on Lauras herse: 233 Hereat the hardest stones were seene to bleed, 234 And grones of buried ghostes the heauens did perse. 235 Where Homers spright did tremble all for griefe, 236 And curst th'accesse of that celestiall theife. 237 216 217 218 COMMENDATORY VERSES 219 220 _A vision upon this conceit of the

conceit > conception

221 Faery Queen_ 222 223 I thought I saw the grave where Laura lay,

Laura > (Immortalized by Petrarch in his odes and sonnets, To Laura)

224 Within that temple where the Vestal flame

Vestal flame > (The sacred fire brought by Aeneas from Troy; it was kept burning by the Vestals, virgin priestesses officiating at the temple at Rome dedicated to Vesta, goddess of the hearth and domestic life. If the flame went out, it was believed that the state would fall)

225 Was wont to burn; and, passing by that way

wont > accustomed

226 To see that buried dust of living fame, 227 Whose tomb fair love, and fairer virtue kept, 228 All suddenly I saw the Faery Queen: 229 At whose approach the soul of Petrarch wept,

Petrarch > (Francesco Petrarch, 1304-74, Italian poet and scholar)

230 And from thenceforth those graces were not seen.

those graces > [the Vestals]

231 For they this queen attended, in whose stead

stead > place

232 Oblivion laid him down on Laura's hearse:

hearse > bier, coffin; tomb

233 Hereat the hardest stones were seen to bleed,

Hereat > At this; as a result of this

234 And groans of buried ghosts the heavens did pierce,

ghosts > spirits

235 Where Homer's spirit did tremble all for grief, 236 And cursed the access of that celestial thief.

access > coming

237 238 Another of the same. 239 240 _THe prayse of meaner wits this worke like profit brings, 241 As doth the Cuckoes song delight when Philumena sings. 242 If thou hast formed right true vertues face herein: 243 Vertue her selfe can best discerne, to whom they written bin. 244 If thou hast beautie praysd, let her sole lookes diuine 245 Iudge if ought therein be amis, and mend it by her eine. 246 If Chastitie want ought, or Temperaunce her dew, 247 Behold her Princely mind aright, and write thy Queene anew. 248 Meanewhile she shall perceiue, how farre her vertues sore 249 Aboue the reach of all that liue, or such as wrote of yore: 250 And thereby will excuse and fauour thy good will: 251 Whose vertue can not be exprest, but by an Angels quill. 252 Of me no lines are lou'd, nor letters are of price, 253 Of all which speake our English tongue, but those of thy deuice._ 254 255 W. R. 256 238 Another of the same 239 240 The praise of meaner wits this work like profit brings,

wits > minds

241 As does the cuckoo's song delight when Philomela sings.

Philomela > (She was changed into a nightingale after Tereus had cut out her tongue; hence: the nightingale)

242 If you have formed right true virtue's face herein,

right > aright; perhaps also: very

243 Virtue herself can best discern to whom they written been.

Virtue herself > [Queen Elizabeth] been > [have been, are]

244 If you have beauty praised, let her sole looks divine 245 Judge if aught therein be amiss, and mend it by her eyes. 246 If Chastity want aught, or Temperance her due, 247 Behold her princely mind aright, and write your Queen anew. 248 Meanwhile she shall perceive how far her virtues soar 249 Above the reach of all that live, or such as wrote of yore:

of yore > anciently, of old

250 And thereby will excuse and favour your goodwill: 251 Whose virtue cannot be expressed, but by an angel's quill.

but by > except with quill > {Pen made from swan- or goose-feather}

252 Of me no lines are loved, nor letters are of price,

Of > By

253 Of all who speak our English tongue, but those of your device.

device > devising

254 255 W. R.

W. R. > (Walter Raleigh, 1552-1618, poet, soldier, explorer, scholar, statesman, and a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, who granted him, in 1584, a patent for the exploration and settlement of the Americas. Later he fell from her good graces, and after many hardships and adventures was beheaded by James I. Probably an exact contemporary of Spenser. He had a huge estate near Spenser's in southern Ireland, and under his auspices FQ was published, and dedicated to Elizabeth)

256 257 258 To the learned Shepheard. 259 260 _COllyn I see by thy new taken taske, 261 some sacred fury hath enricht thy braynes, 262 That leades thy muse in haughtie verse to maske, 263 and loath the layes that longs to lowly swaynes. 264 That lifts thy notes from Shepheardes vnto kings, 265 So like the liuely Larke that mounting sings. 266 267 Thy louely Rosolinde seemes now forlorne, 268 and all thy gentle flockes forgotten quight, 269 Thy chaunged hart now holdes thy pypes in scorne, 270 those prety pypes that did thy mates delight. 271 Those trustie mates, that loued thee so well, 272 Whom thou gau'st mirth: as they gaue thee the bell. 273 274 Yet as thou earst with thy sweete roundelayes, 275 didst stirre to glee our laddes in homely bowers: 276 So moughtst thou now in these refyned layes, 277 delight the dainty eares of higher powers. 278 And so mought they in their deepe skanning skill 279 Alow and grace our Collyns flowing quill. 280 281 And fare befall that Faerie Queene of thine, 282 in whose faire eyes loue linckt with vertue sits: 283 Enfusing by those bewties fiers deuyne, 284 such high conceites into thy humble wits, 285 As raised hath poore pastors oaten reede, 286 From rusticke tunes, to chaunt heroique deedes. 287 288 So mought thy Redcrosse knight with happy hand 289 victorious be in that faire Ilands right: 290 Which thou doest vayle in Type of Faery land 291 Elyzas blessed field, that Albion hight. 292 That shieldes her friendes, and warres her mightie foes, 293 Yet still with people, peace, and plentie flowes. 294 295 But (iolly Shepheard) though with pleasing style, 296 thou feast the humour of the Courtly traine: 297 Let not conceipt thy setled sence beguile, 298 ne daunted be through enuy or disdaine. 299 Subiect thy dome to her Empyring spright, 300 From whence thy Muse, and all the world takes light._ 301 Hobynoll. 257 258 To the learned shepherd

shepherd > (Spenser's The Shepheardes Calender, a work of pastoral poetry, was published in 1579)

259 260 Colin, I see by your new-taken task,

Colin > (Colin Clout, principal voice in SC; in 1595 Spenser
published Colin Clouts Come Home Again, dated 27 December 1591)

261 some sacred fury has enriched your brains,

fury > frenzy

262 That leads your Muse in haughty verse to mask,

Muse > (The nine Muses are the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne
(Memory); each presides over an area of the arts and sciences and
gives inspiration to its practitioners. The Muse referred to is
probably Clio, the Muse of History)
haughty > noble, high-minded
mask > disguise [herself]

263 and loath the lays that long to lowly swains.

lays > songs long to > befit, beseem; are appropriate to swains > young men

264 That lifts your notes from shepherds to kings, 265 So like the lively lark that, mounting, sings. 266 267 Your lovely Rosalind seems now forlorn,

Rosalind > (Colin Clout's love in SC)

268 and all your gentle flocks forgotten quite, 269 Your changed heart now holds your pipes in scorn, 270 those pretty pipes that did your mates delight. 271 Those trusty mates, that loved you so well, 272 Whom you gave mirth: as they gave you the bell.

the bell > the prize; first place (before cups were awarded to winners of horse-races, etc., a little gold or silver bell was presented as the prize)

273 274 Yet as you erst with your sweet roundelays

erst > previously, at first roundelays > {Short, simple songs}

275 did stir to glee our lads in homely bowers:

glee > delight bowers > rooms, chambers

276 So might you now, in these refined lays, 277 delight the dainty ears of higher powers. 278 And so might they in their deep scanning skill

scanning skill > ability to understand [poetry]

279 Allow and grace our Colin's flowing quill. 280 281 And fair befall that Faery Queen of yours,

fair > [fair fortune]

282 in whose fair eyes love linked with virtue sits: 283 Infusing by those beauties fierce divine,

divine > [and divine]

284 Such high conceits into your humble wits,

conceits > ideas

285 As raised has poor pastor's oaten reed

pastor's > shepherd's oaten reed > (Of which shepherds' pipe were supposedly made)

286 From rustic tunes to chant heroic deeds. 287 288 So might your Redcross Knight with happy hand

happy > fortunate

289 victorious be in that fair island's right:

that fair island > [Britain]

290 Which you do veil in type of Faery Land, 291 Eliza's blessed field, that Albion hight,

Eliza > [Elizabeth]
hight > is called

292 That shields her friends, and wars her mighty foes,

wars > [wages war upon]

293 Yet still with people, peace, and plenty flows.

still > ever

294 295 But (jolly shepherd) though with pleasing style

jolly > gallant, fine
style > style; literary composition, hence: poem, song (cf. SC,
"Januarie", 10)

296 you feast the humour of the courtly train:

humour > state of mind; hence: tastes train > assembly, entourage

297 Let not conceit your settled sense beguile, 298 nor daunted be through envy or disdain. 299 Subject your doom to her empiring spirit,

doom > fate empiring > imperial

300 From whence your Muse and all the world takes light. 301 Hobinoll

Hobinoll > (Gabriel Harvey (1545?-1630); see glosses to SC, "Januarie", 55, and "September", 176. A fellow poet, Harvey remained a friend of Spenser from their Cambridge days. Elected a Fellow of Pembroke Hall in 1570, a year after Spenser was admitted there as a sizar (undergraduate receiving an allowance from the college))

302 303 304 FAyre Thamis streame, that from Ludds stately towne, 305 Runst paying tribute to the Ocean seas, 306 Let all thy Nymphes and Syrens of renowne 307 Be silent, whyle this Bryttane Orpheus playes: 308 Nere thy sweet bankes, there liues that sacred crowne, 309 Whose hand strowes Palme and neuer-dying bayes, 310 Let all at once, with thy soft murmuring sowne 311 Present her with this worthy Poets prayes. 312 For he hath taught hye drifts in shepeherdes weedes, 313 And deepe conceites now singes in Faeries deedes. 314 R. S. 315 302 303 304 Fair Thames' stream, that from Lud's stately town

Lud > (A mythical king of England, reputed founder of London (see 210.46:1 and cf. Cymbeline IV ii 100))

305 Run paying tribute to the ocean seas,

ocean seas > {The main or great seas of the world}

306 Let all your nymphs and Sirens of renown

nymphs > (Minor female divinities with whom the Greeks peopled all
parts of nature: the seas, springs, rivers, grottoes, trees,
mountains)
Sirens > (Sea-nymphs whose sweet singing had the power to lure sailors
to their destruction)

307 Be silent, while this Briton Orpheus plays:

Orpheus > (A mythical minstrel whose wonderful music could move rocks and trees and suspend the torments of the damned in hell)

308 Near your sweet banks there lives that sacred crown

crown > monarch

309 Whose hand strews palm and never-dying bays,

palm > {Leaves of the palm-tree, carried or worn as a symbol of
victory; hence: fame and glory}
bays > {Leaves or sprigs of the laurel, used to make a wreath for
conquerors or poets (cf. "poet laureate"); hence: fame and glory}

310 Let all at once, with your soft murmuring sound 311 Present her with this worthy poet's praise. 312 For he has taught high drifts in shepherd's weeds,

drifts > aims, objects; meanings weeds > garb

313 And deep conceits now sings in Faeries' deeds.

conceits > conceptions

314 R. S.

R. S. > (Not identifiable)

315 316 317 _GRaue Muses march in triumph and with prayses, 318 Our Goddesse here hath giuen you leaue to land: 319 And biddes this rare dispenser of your graces 320 Bow downe his brow vnto her sacred hand. 321 Desertes findes dew in that most princely doome, 322 In whose sweete brest are all the Muses bredde: 323 So did that great Augustus erst in Roome 324 With leaues of fame adorne his Poets hedde. 325 Faire be the guerdon of your Faery Queene, 326 Euen of the fairest that the world hath seene._ 327 H. B. 328 316 317 Grave Muses, march in triumph and with praises: 318 Our goddess here has given you leave to land,

Our goddess > [Elizabeth]

319 And bids this rare dispenser of your graces

dispenser > (Puns were a favourite literary device of the period: Spenser's own are usually subtler than this one)

320 Bow down his brow to her sacred hand.

sacred > {Commonly used (-1590) as an epithet of royalty; also, specifically, here, perhaps, because FQ traces Elizabeth's lineage back to Aeneas, whose mother was the goddess Venus}

321 Deserts finds due in that most princely doom,

Deserts > {That which in conduct or character deserves reward or
punishment}
doom > judgement, opinion

322 In whose sweet breast are all the Muses bred: 323 So did that great Augustus erst in Rome

Augustus > (Augustus Caesar, 63 BC-14 AD, Emperor of Rome, patron of
Virgil: on whom he is not, incidentally, known to have bestowed the
laurel crown)
erst > of old, formerly

324 With leaves of fame adorn his poet's head. 325 Fair be the guerdon of your Faery Queen,

guerdon > reward

326 Even of the fairest that the world has seen. 327 H. B.

H. B. > (Not identifiable)

328 329 330 WHen stout Achilles heard of Helens rape 331 And what reuenge the States of Greece deuisd: 332 Thinking by sleight the fatall warres to scape, 333 In womans weedes him selfe he then disguisde: 334 But this deuice Vlysses soone did spy, 335 And brought him forth, the chaunce of warre to try. 336 337 When Spencer saw the fame was spredd so large, 338 Through Faery land of their renowned Queene: 339 Loth that his Muse should take so great a charge, 340 As in such haughty matter to be seene, 341 To seeme a shepeheard then he made his choice, 342 But Sydney heard him sing, and knew his voice. 343 344 And as Vlysses brought faire Thetis sonne 345 From his retyred life to menage armes: 346 So Spencer was by Sidneys speaches wonne, 347 To blaze her fame not fearing future harmes: 348 For well he knew, his Muse would soone be tyred 349 In her high praise, that all the world admired. 350 351 Yet as Achilles in those warlike frayes, 352 Did win the palme from all the Grecian Peeres: 353 So Spencer now to his immortall prayse, 354 Hath wonne the Laurell quite from all his feres. 355 What though his taske exceed a humaine witt, 356 He is excus'd, sith Sidney thought it fitt. 357 W. L. 358 329 330 When stout Achilles heard of Helen's rape

stout > bold, brave
Achilles > (See Iliad 9.410 ff.)

331 And what revenge the states of Greece devised: 332 Thinking by sleight the fatal wars to scape,

scape > escape

333 In woman's weeds himself he then disguised:

weeds > clothing

334 But this device Ulysses soon did spy, 335 And brought him forth, the chance of war to try. 336 337 When Spenser saw the fame was spread so large, 338 Through Faery Land of their renowned Queen: 339 Loath that his Muse should take so great a charge, 340 As in such haughty matter to be seen,

haughty > noble, high-minded

341 To seem a shepherd then he made his choice, 342 But Sidney heard him sing, and knew his voice.

Sidney > (Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-86, poet, soldier, and statesman: one of the Queen's favourites. Close friend and mentor of Spenser. Killed in action at Zutphen in the Netherlands)

343 344 And, as Ulysses brought fair Thetis' son

Thetis' son > [Achilles]

345 From his retired life to manage arms,

manage > wield

346 So Spenser was by Sidney's speeches won

won > persuaded

347 To blaze her fame, not fearing future harms:

blaze > celebrate; portray

348 For well he knew, his Muse would soon be tired

tired > attired, adorned

349 In her high praise, that all the world admired. 350 351 Yet as Achilles, in those warlike frays, 352 Did win the palm from all the Grecian peers:

palm > {Leaf or "branch" of palm tree: symbol of victory; hence:
victory}
peers > rivals; nobles

353 So Spenser now, to his immortal praise, 354 Has won the laurel quite from all his feres.

laurel > {Crown of laurel leaves for supreme poet or victor} feres > companions, peers

355 What though his task exceed a human wit,

What though > Inasmuch as wit > mind; wit

356 He is excused, sith Sidney thought it fit.

sith > since

357 W. L.

W. L. > (Not identifiable)

358 359 360 TO looke vpon a worke of rare deuise 361 The which a workman setteth out to view, 362 And not to yield it the deserued prise, 363 That vnto such a workmanship is dew. 364 Doth either proue the iudgement to be naught 365 Or els doth shew a mind with enuy fraught. 366 367 To labour to commend a peece of worke, 368 Which no man goes about to discommend, 369 Would raise a iealous doubt that there did lurke, 370 Some secret doubt, whereto the prayse did tend. 371 For when men know the goodnes of the wyne, 372 T'is needlesse for the hoast to haue a sygne. 373 374 Thus then to shew my iudgement to be such 375 As can discerne of colours blacke, and white, 376 As alls to free my minde from enuies tuch, 377 That neuer giues to any man his right, 378 I here pronounce this workmanship is such, 379 As that no pen can set it forth too much. 380 381 And thus I hang a garland at the dore, 382 Not for to shew the goodnes of the ware: 383 But such hath beene the custome heretofore, 384 And customes very hardly broken are. 385 And when your tast shall tell you this is trew, 386 Then looke you giue your hoast his vtmost dew. 387 Ignoto. 388 359 360 To look upon a work of rare device,

device > make, devising

361 Which a workman sets out to view,

view > [be viewed; the view of others]

362 And not to yield it the deserved price

price > prize; praise; price (all three words have common ancestor)

363 That to such a workmanship is due, 364 Does either prove the judgement to be naught 365 Or else does show a mind with envy fraught.

fraught > filled

366 367 To labour to commend a piece of work, 368 Which no man goes about to discommend,

discommend > disparage

369 Would raise a jealous doubt that there did lurk 370 Some secret doubt whereto the praise did tend. 371 For when men know the goodness of the wine, 372 'Tis needless for the host to have a sign.

sign > (In a largely illiterate age, inns were identified by a painted sign depicting, for example, a boar's head or crossed keys, and from this the inn took its name)

373 374 Thus then to show my judgement to be such 375 As can discern of colours black and white, 376 As als to free my mind from envy's touch,

als > also

377 That never gives to any man his right, 378 I here pronounce this workmanship is such, 379 As that no pen can set it forth too much. 380 381 And thus I hang a garland at the door, 382 Not to show the goodness of the ware:

ware > wares, merchandise

383 But such has been the custom heretofore, 384 And customs very hardly broken are.

very hardly > with great difficulty

385 And when your taste shall tell you this is true, 386 Then look you give your host his utmost due.

look you > (An intensive: "make sure you", etc.)

387 Ignoto

Ignoto > "Unknown" (not identifiable)

388 389 390 391 392 393 _To the Right honourable Sir _Christopher Hatton, 394 Lord high Chauncelor of England. &c. 395 396 THose prudent heads, that with theire counsels wise 397 Whylom the Pillours of th'earth did sustaine, 398 And taught ambitious Rome to tyrannise, 399 And in the neck of all the world to rayne, 400 Oft from those graue affaires were wont abstaine, 401 With the sweet Lady Muses for to play: 402 So Ennius the elder Africane, 403 So Maro oft did C'sars cares allay. 404 So you great Lord, that with your counsell sway 405 The burdeine of this kingdom mightily, 406 With like delightes sometimes may eke delay 407 The rugged brow of carefull Policy: 408 And to these ydle rymes lend litle space, 409 Which for their titles sake may find more grace. 410 389 390 391 DEDICATORY SONNETS 392 393 _To the Right Honourable Sir Christopher Hatton,

Right > Very
Sir Christopher Hatton > (1540-91; principal minister of Elizabeth's
government)

394 Lord High Chancellor of England, etc._ 395 396 Those prudent heads, that with their counsels wise 397 Whilom the pillars of the earth did sustain,

Whilom > Formerly

398 And taught ambitious Rome to tyrannize, 399 And in the neck of all the world to reign,

in the neck > on top

400 Oft from those grave affairs were wont abstain,

wont > accustomed to, given to

401 With the sweet lady Muses to play: 402 So Ennius the elder African,

Ennius > (Quintus Ennius, 239-170 BC, Roman poet)
the elder African > (Scipio Africanus, 237-183 BC, Roman general in
Second Punic War)

403 So Maro oft did Caesar's cares allay.

Maro > (Publius Vergilius Maro [Virgil], 70-19 BC, author of the
Aeneid)
Caesar > (Augustus Caesar, 63 BC-14 AD, Emperor of Rome)

404 So you, great lord, that with your counsel sway

sway > influence

405 The burden of this kingdom mightily,

burden > fate, destiny

406 With like delights sometimes may eke delay

eke > also delay > mitigate, assuage; hence: soothe

407 The rugged brow of careful policy:

careful > {Full of cares; prudent} policy > statesmanship

408 And to these idle rhymes lend little space,

idle > empty; vain, trifling

409 Which, for their title's sake, may find more grace. 410 411 412 To the right honourable the Lo. Burleigh Lo. high 413 Threasurer of England. 414 415 TO you right noble Lord, whose carefull brest 416 To menage of most graue affaires is bent, 417 And on whose mightie shoulders most doth rest 418 The burdein of this kingdomes gouernement, 419 As the wide compasse of the firmament, 420 On Atlas mighty shoulders is vpstayd; 421 Vnfitly I these ydle rimes present, 422 The labor of lost time, and wit vnstayd: 423 Yet if their deeper sence be inly wayd, 424 And the dim vele, with which from comune vew 425 Their fairer parts are hid, aside be layd. 426 Perhaps not vaine they may appeare to you. 427 Such as they be, vouchsafe them to receaue, 428 And wipe their faults out of your censure graue. 429 E. S. 430 411 412 _To the Right Honourable the Lord Burghley, Lord High

Lord Burghley > (William Cecil, Lord Burghley, 1520-98: the most powerful man in England. An enemy of the Earl of Leicester, who was the uncle of Sir Philip Sidney (one of Spenser's friends). This, taken in combination with Spenser's friendship with Raleigh (another enemy) perhaps disinclined Burghley to favour the poet or his work)

413 Treasurer of England_ 414 415 To, you right noble lord, whose careful breast

careful > {Full of cares; prudent} breast > heart; hence: mind

416 To manage most grave affairs is bent,

bent > inclined, directed

417 And on whose mighty shoulders most does rest 418 The burden of this kingdom's government

burden > burden; fate, destiny

419 (As the wide compass of the firmament 420 On Atlas' mighty shoulders is upstayed);

Atlas > (A mythical giant said to support on his shoulders the pillars
of the universe)
upstayed > supported

421 Unfitly I these idle rhymes present,

idle > empty; vain, trifling

422 The labour of lost time and wit unstayed:

wit > mind, intelligence unstayed > unsteady

423 Yet if their deeper sense be inly weighed,

inly > inwardly

424 And the dim veil, with which from common view

common > vulgar

425 Their fairer parts are hidden, aside be laid, 426 Perhaps not vain they may appear to you.

vain > foolish, futile

427 Such as they be, vouchsafe them to receive, 428 And wipe their faults out of your censure grave. 429 E. S. 430 431 432 To the right Honourable the Earle of Oxenford, 433 Lord high Chamberlayne of England. &c. 434 435 REceiue most Noble Lord in gentle gree, 436 The vnripe fruit of an vnready wit: 437 Which by thy countenaunce doth craue to bee 438 Defended from foule Enuies poisnous bit. 439 Which so to doe may thee right well besit, 440 Sith th'antique glory of thine auncestry 441 Vnder a shady vele is therein writ, 442 And eke thine owne long liuing memory, 443 Succeeding them in true nobility: 444 And also for the loue, which thou doest beare 445 To th'Heliconian ymps, and they to thee, 446 They vnto thee, and thou to them most deare: 447 Deare as thou art vnto thy selfe, so loue 448 That loues and honours thee, as doth behoue. 449 431 432 _To the Right Honourable the Earl of Oxford,

Oxford > (Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, 1550-1604, Burghley's son-in-law; poet and literary patron)

433 Lord High Chamberlain of England, etc._ 434 435 Receive, most noble lord, in gentle gree,

gentle > noble; courteous; gentle gree > favour, goodwill

436 The unripe fruit of an unready wit:

wit > mind, intelligence

437 Which by your countenance does crave to be 438 Defended from foul Envy's poisonous bit.

bit > {Bite, the action of biting}

439 Which so to do may you right well besit,

right > very besit > become, befit

440 Sith the antique glory of your ancestry

Sith > Since
antique > ancient

441 Under a shady veil is therein written, 442 And eke your own long living memory,

eke > also

443 Succeeding them in true nobility: 444 And also for the love which you do bear 445 To the Heliconian imps, and they to you,

Heliconian imps > (Mount Helicon is the abode of the Muses; imps = offspring; hence: poets)

446 They to you, and you to them most dear: 447 Dear as you are to yourself, so love 448 That loves and honours you, as does behove.

That > [He who]

449 450 451 To the right honourable the Earle of 452 Northumberland. 453 454 THe sacred Muses haue made alwaies clame 455 To be the Nourses of nobility, 456 And Registres of euerlasting fame, 457 To all that armes professe and cheualry. 458 Then by like right the noble Progeny, 459 Which them succeed in fame and worth, are tyde 460 T'embrace the seruice of sweete Poetry, 461 By whose endeuours they are glorifide, 462 And eke from all, of whom it is enuide, 463 To patronize the authour of their praise, 464 Which giues them life, that els would soone haue dide, 465 And crownes their ashes with immortall baies. 466 To thee therefore right noble Lord I send 467 This present of my paines, it to defend. 468 450 451 To the Right Honourable the Earl of 452 Northumberland

Northumberland > (Henry Percy, "Wizard Earl", 9th Earl of
Northumberland, 1564-1632; a friend of Raleigh)

453 454 The sacred Muses have made always claim 455 To be the nurses of nobility, 456 And registers of everlasting fame, 457 To all that arms profess and chivalry.

arms profess > lay claim to prowess in arms

458 Then, by like right, the noble progeny 459 Who them succeed in fame and worth, are tied 460 To embrace the service of sweet poetry, 461 By whose endeavours they are glorified, 462 And eke from all, of whom it is envied,

eke > moreover of > by envied > wished for themselves

463 To patronize the author of their praise, 464 Who gives them life, that else would soon have died,

else > otherwise

465 And crowns their ashes with immortal bays.

bays > (Leaves or sprigs of the laurel, used to make a wreath for conquerors or poets)

466 To you, therefore, right noble lord, I send 467 This present of my pains, it to defend.

pains > efforts, labours it to defend > [so that you may defend it]

468 469 470 To the right honourable the Earle of Cumberland. 471 472 REdoubted Lord, in whose corageous mind 473 The flowre of cheualry now bloosming faire, 474 Doth promise fruite worthy the noble kind, 475 Which of their praises haue left you the haire; 476 To you this humble present I prepare, 477 For loue of vertue and of Martiall praise, 478 To which though nobly ye inclined are, 479 As goodlie well ye shew'd in late assaies, 480 Yet braue ensample of long passed daies, 481 In which trew honor yee may fashiond see, 482 To like desire of honor may ye raise, 483 And fill your mind with magnanimitee. 484 Receiue it Lord therefore as it was ment, 485 For honor of your name and high descent. 486 E. S. 487 469 470 To the Right Honourable the Earl of Cumberland

Cumberland > (George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, 1558-1605, naval commander)

471 472 Redoubted lord, in whose courageous mind 473 The flower of chivalry, now blossoming fair, 474 Does promise fruit worthy the noble kind

the > [of the] kind > kin, family

475 Which of their praises have left you the heir; 476 To you this humble present I prepare, 477 For love of virtue and of martial praise, 478 To which though nobly you inclined are, 479 As goodly well you showed in late assays,

late assays > recent assaults (a reference to the Portugal expedition of 1589, designed to liberate Portugal from the Spanish)

480 Yet brave example of long passed days,

brave > [a, this] splendid

481 In which true honour you may fashioned see, 482 To like desire of honour may you raise,

like > [a] similar

483 And fill your mind with magnanimity.

magnanimity > greatness of spirit

484 Receive it, lord, therefore, as it was meant: 485 For honour of your name and high descent. 486 E. S. 487 488 489 To the most honourable and excellent Lo. the Earle 490 of Essex. Great Maister of the Horse to her Highnesse, 491 and knight of the Noble order of the Garter. &c. 492 493 MAgnificke Lord, whose vertues excellent 494 Doe merit a most famous Poets witt, 495 To be thy liuing praises instrument, 496 Yet doe not sdeigne, to let thy name be writt 497 In this base Poeme, for thee far vnfitt. 498 Nought is thy worth disparaged thereby, 499 But when my Muse, whose fethers nothing flitt 500 Doe yet but flagg, and lowly learne to fly 501 With bolder wing shall dare alofte to sty 502 To the last praises of this Faery Queene, 503 Then shall it make more famous memory 504 Of thine Heroicke parts, such as they beene: 505 Till then vouchsafe thy noble countenaunce, 506 To these first labours needed furtheraunce. 507 508 488 489 _To the Most Honourable and Excellent Lord, the Earl 490 of Essex. Great Master of the Horse to Her Highness,

Essex > (Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, 1566-1601, Leicester's stepson and, in her old age, Elizabeth's favourite)

491 and Knight of the Noble Order of the Garter, etc._ 492 493 Magnific lord, whose virtues excellent

Magnific > Renowned, glorious; magnificent

494 Do merit a most famous poet's wit

wit > mind, intellectual capacity

495 To be your living praises' instrument, 496 Yet do not sdeign to let your name be written

sdeign > disdain

497 In this base poem, for you far unfit. 498 Naught is your worth disparaged thereby, 499 But when my Muse, whose feathers, nothing flit,

nothing > not at all flit > swift, quickly-moving

500 Do yet but flag and lowly learn to fly,

flag > droop lowly > {In a low or base manner}

501 With bolder wing shall dare aloft to sty

sty > rise, soar

502 To the last praises of this Faery Queen;

last > (Speaking of that time when all 24 books of the poem will be complete)

503 Then shall it make more famous memory

memory > memorial; historical record

504 Of your heroic parts, such as they been:

parts > abilities, qualities been > [are; were]

505 Till then, vouchsafe your noble countenance

countenance > regard

506 To these first labours' needed furtherance.

furtherance > promotion; also: improvement

507 508 509 To the right Honourable the Earle of 510 Ormond and Ossory. 511 512 REceiue most noble Lord a simple taste 513 Of the wilde fruit, which saluage soyl hath bred, 514 Which being through long wars left almost waste, 515 With brutish barbarisme is ouerspredd: 516 And in so faire a land, as may be redd, 517 Not one Parnassus, nor one Helicone 518 Left for sweete Muses to be harboured, 519 But where thy selfe hast thy braue mansione; 520 There in deede dwel faire Graces many one. 521 And gentle Nymphes, delights of learned wits, 522 And in thy person without Paragone 523 All goodly bountie and true honour sits, 524 Such therefore, as that wasted soyl doth yield, 525 Receiue dear Lord in worth, the fruit of barren field. 526 527 509 To the Right Honourable the Earl of 510 Ormond and Ossory

Ormond and Ossory > (Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond and Ossory, 1532-1614,; Lord Treasurer of Ireland)

511 512 Receive, most noble lord, a simple taste 513 Of the wild fruit which savage soil has bred,

savage > wild; savage soil > (Of Ireland, where Spenser lived)

514 Which, being through long wars left almost waste, 515 With brutish barbarism is overspread:

barbarism > (See Spenser's A View of the Present State of Ireland)

516 And in so fair a land, as may be read,

read > seen

517 Not one Parnassus, nor one Helicon

Parnassus > (Mount Parnassus, chief seat of Apollo, god of song and
music, and leader of the Muses)
Helicon > (Mount Helicon, sacred to Apollo and his Muses)

518 Left for sweet Muses to be harboured, 519 But where you yourself have your brave mansion;

But > Except brave > splendid mansion > dwelling-place; mansion

520 There indeed dwell fair Graces many one:

Graces > (The handmaids of Venus, bestowers of beauty and charm)

521 And gentle nymphs, delights of learned wits,

nymphs > (Minor female divinities with whom the Greeks peopled all
parts of nature: the seas, springs, rivers, grottoes, trees,
mountains)
wits > minds

522 And in your person without paragon

paragon > comparison; competition

523 All goodly bounty and true honour sit,

bounty > goodness, virtue; munificence, generosity

524 Such, therefore, as that wasted soil does yield, 525 Receive, dear lord, in worth, the fruit of barren field.

in worth > in good part; at its true value

526 527 528 To the right honourable the Lord Ch. Howard, Lo. high Admi- 529 ral of England, knight of the noble order of the Garter, 530 and one of her Maiesties priuie Counsel. &c. 531 532 ANd ye, braue Lord, whose goodly personage, 533 And noble deeds each other garnishing, 534 Make you ensample to the present age, 535 Of th'old Heroes, whose famous ofspring 536 The antique Poets wont so much to sing, 537 In this same Pageaunt haue a worthy place, 538 Sith those huge castles of Castilian king, 539 That vainly threatned kingdomes to displace, 540 Like flying doues ye did before you chace; 541 And that proud people woxen insolent 542 Through many victories, didst first deface: 543 Thy praises euerlasting monument 544 Is in this verse engrauen semblably, 545 That it may liue to all posterity. 546 547 528 _To the Right Honourable the Lord Charles Howard, Lord High Admi-

Charles Howard > (Charles, Lord Howard of Effingham, 1536-1624. Commander of the Western Fleet, based at Plymouth, which was credited with defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588)

529 ral of England, Knight of the Noble Order of the Garter, 530 and one of Her Majesty's Privy Council, etc._ 531 532 And you, brave lord (whose goodly personage

brave > brave; splendid

533 And noble deeds each other garnishing,

garnishing > embellishing

534 Make you example to the present age,

example > [an] example, [a] parallel case

535 Of the old heroes, whose famous offspring 536 The antique poets wont so much to sing),

antique > ancient (especially of ancient Greece and Rome) wont > were accustomed sing > {Celebrate in song or verse}

537 In this same pageant have a worthy place,

pageant > {Exhibition, show, staged as a feature of public triumph or celebration; scene or act of a medieval mystery play; tableau or tableaux from such a play. Spenser never uses his language idly; and "pageant" is the precise term favoured by C. S. Lewis (see Spenser's Images of Life) to define the form of FQ; see also SC, gloss to "June" (Many Graces: the passage referred to is at 203.25:1)}

538 Sith those huge castles of Castilian king,

Sith > Since
those huge castles > [the Spanish galleons of the Armada]
Castilian king > (Philip II of Spain, 1527-98)

539 That vainly threatened kingdoms to displace, 540 Like flying doves you did before you chase; 541 And that proud people, waxed insolent

waxed > grown

542 Through many victories, did first deface:

deface > cast in the shade; or: destroy

543 Your praises' everlasting monument 544 Is in this verse engraved semblably,

semblably > similarly; also: apparently, hence: allegorically

545 That it may live to all posterity.

That > [So that]

546 547 548 To the right honourable the Lord of Hunsdon, high 549 Chamberlaine to her Maiesty. 550 551 REnowmed Lord, that for your worthinesse 552 And noble deeds haue your deserued place, 553 High in the fauour of that Emperesse. 554 The worlds sole glory and her sexes grace, 555 Here eke of right haue you a worthie place, 556 Both for your nearnes to that Faerie Queene, 557 And for your owne high merit in like cace, 558 Of which, apparaunt proofe was to be seene, 559 When that tumultuous rage and fearfull deene 560 Of Northerne rebels ye did pacify, 561 And their disloiall powre defaced clene, 562 The record of enduring memory. 563 Liue Lord for euer in this lasting verse, 564 That all posteritie thy honor may reherse. 565 E. S. 566 548 _To the Right Honourable the Lord of Hunsdon, High

Lord of Hunsdon > (Henry Carey, 1st Lord Hunsdon, 1524?-96, Governor of Berwick. First cousin of the Queen and chamberlain of the royal household)

549 Chamberlain to Her Majesty_ 550 551 Renowned lord, that for your worthiness 552 And noble deeds have your deserved place 553 High in the favour of that empress, 554 The world's sole glory and her sex's grace; 555 Here eke of right have you a worthy place,

eke > also

556 Both for your nearness to that Faery Queen, 557 And for your own high merit in like case,

like > [a] similar

558 Of which apparent proof was to be seen 559 When that tumultuous rage and fearful deen

deen > din, noise

560 Of northern rebels you did pacify,

northern rebels > (Who wished in 1569 to assert the right of Mary Stuart to succeed, or supplant, Elizabeth)

561 And their disloyal power defaced clean,

defaced clean > utterly destroyed

562 The record of enduring memory. 563 Live, lord, for ever in this lasting verse, 564 That all posterity your honour may rehearse.

That > [So that] rehearse > relate, give an account of

565 E. S. 566 567 568 To the most renowmed and valiant Lord, the 569 Lord Grey of Wilton, knight of the Noble order 570 of the Garter, &c. 571 572 MOst Noble Lord the pillor of my life, 573 And Patrone of my Muses pupillage, 574 Through whose large bountie poured on me rife, 575 In the first season of my feeble age, 576 I now doe liue, bound yours by vassalage: 577 Sith nothing euer may redeeme, nor reaue 578 Out of your endlesse debt so sure a gage, 579 Vouchsafe in worth this small guift to receaue, 580 Which in your noble hands for pledge I leaue, 581 Of all the rest, that I am tyde t'account: 582 Rude rymes, the which a rustick Muse did weaue 583 In sauadge soyle, far from Parnasso mount, 584 And roughly wrought in an vnlearned Loome: 585 The which vouchsafe dear Lord your fauorable doome. 586 587 567 568 _To the Most Renowned and Valiant Lord, the 569 Lord Grey of Wilton, Knight of the Noble Order

Lord Grey > (Arthur Grey, 14th Lord Grey de Wilton, 1536-93, Lord Deputy of Ireland from 1580-82; on appointment he made Spenser his private secretary)

570 of the Garter, etc._ 571 572 Most noble lord, the pillar of my life, 573 And patron of my Muse's pupillage, 574 Through whose large bounty, poured on me rife

rife > unstintingly

575 In the first season of my feeble age, 576 I now do live, bound yours by vassalage:

vassalage > {The allegiance of a vassal: one who, in the feudal system, held land in return for homage and allegiance to his lord}

577 Sith nothing ever may redeem, nor reave

Sith > Since reave > forcibly remove, take

578 Out of your endless debt so sure a gage,

gage > pledge

579 Vouchsafe in worth this small gift to receive,

in worth > in good part; at its true value

580 Which in your noble hands for pledge I leave

for pledge > as a token

581 Of all the rest, that I am tied to account: 582 Rude rhymes, which a rustic Muse did weave

Rude > {Unpolished, lacking in literary skill}

583 In savage soil, far from Parnasso Mount,

savage soil > (Cf. I:513)
Parnasso Mount > (Mount Parnassus, chief seat of Apollo, god of song
and music, and leader of the Muses)

584 And roughly wrought in an unlearned loom:

wrought > worked

585 Which vouchsafe, dear lord, your favourable doom.

doom > judgement, opinion

586 587 588 To the right honourable the Lord of Buckhurst, one 589 of her Maiesties priuie Counsell. 590 591 IN vain I thinke right honourable Lord, 592 By this rude rime to memorize thy name; 593 Whose learned Muse hath writ her owne record, 594 In golden verse, worthy immortal fame: 595 Thou much more fit (were leasure to the same) 596 Thy gracious Souerain praises to compile. 597 And her imperiall Maiestie to frame, 598 In loftie numbers and heroicke stile. 599 But sith thou maist not so, giue leaue a while 600 To baser wit his power therein to spend, 601 Whose grosse defaults thy daintie pen may file, 602 And vnaduised ouersights amend. 603 But euermore vouchsafe it to maintaine 604 Against vile Zoilus backbitings vaine. 605 588 _To the Right Honourable the Lord of Buckhurst, one

Lord of Buckhurst > (Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset and Baron
Buckhurst, 1536-1608, an accomplished poet)

589 of her Majesty's Privy Council_ 590 591 In vain I think, right honourable lord, 592 By this rude rhyme to memorize your name;

rude > {Unpolished, lacking in literary skill} memorize > commemorate

593 Whose learned Muse has written her own record, 594 In golden verse, worthy immortal fame:

worthy > [worthy of]

595 You much more fit (were leisure to the same)

You > [You are] were leisure to the same > [had you the leisure]

596 Your gracious sovereign's praises to compile. 597 And her imperial majesty to frame, 598 In lofty numbers and heroic style.

numbers > metrical lines; hence: verses style > style; literary composition

599 But sith you may not so, give leave a while

sith > since may not so > [are prevented from doing so]

600 To baser wit his power therein to spend,

baser > [a] baser wit > mind

601 Whose gross faults your dainty pen may file,

dainty > {Of delicate taste; hence: discerning} file > polish

602 And unadvised oversights amend. 603 But evermore vouchsafe it to maintain

maintain > defend

604 Against vile Zoilus' backbitings vain.

Zoilus > (A spiteful critic; unkind literary criticism in general,
named after Zoilus, 400?-320 BC, grammarian and commentator on
Homer)
vain > futile, foolish

605 606 607 To the right honourable Sir Fr. Walsingham knight, 608 principall Secretary to her Maiesty, and of her 609 honourable priuy Counsell. 610 611 THat Mantuane Poetes incompared spirit, 612 Whose girland now is set in highest place, 613 Had not Mec{oe}nas for his worthy merit, 614 It first aduaunst to great Augustus grace, 615 Might long perhaps haue lien in silence bace, 616 Ne bene so much admir'd of later age. 617 This lowly Muse, that learns like steps to trace, 618 Flies for like aide vnto your Patronage; 619 That are the great Mecenas of this age, 620 As wel to al that ciuil artes professe 621 As those that are inspird with Martial rage, 622 And craues protection of her feeblenesse: 623 Which if ye yield, perhaps ye may her rayse 624 In bigger tunes to sound your liuing prayse. 625 E. S. 626 606 607 _To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Walsingham, Knight,

Francis Walsingham > (1530?-1590, appointed Principal Secretary in 1573; with Essex and Lord Burghley, one of the triumvirate which effectively governed England on the Queen's behalf)

608 Principal Secretary to her Majesty, and of her 609 honourable Privy Council_. 610 611 That Mantuan poet's incompared spirit,

Mantuan poet > (Virgil, 70-19 BC, who was born near Maro, in Mantua,
northern Italy)
incompared > unmatched (SUS)

612 Whose garland now is set in highest place, 613 Had not Maecenas for his worthy merit

Maecenas > (Gaius Cilnius Maecenas, 73?-8 BC, a Roman statesman,
patron of Virgil and Horace. He brought Virgil to the attention of
Augustus Caesar)

614 It first advanced to great Augustus' grace, 615 Might long perhaps have lain in silence base, 616 Nor been so much admired of later age.

of > by [a]

617 This lowly Muse, that learns like steps to trace,

like > similar

618 Flies for like aid to your patronage; 619 (That are the great Maecenas of this age,

That are > [You who are]

620 As well to all that civil arts profess

As well > Both

621 As those that are inspired with martial rage),

As > [And to]

622 And craves protection of her feebleness: 623 Which if you yield, perhaps you may her raise 624 In bigger tunes to sound your living praise. 625 E. S. 626 627 628 To the right noble Lord and most valiaunt Captaine, 629 Sir Iohn Norris knight, Lord president of Mounster. 630 631 WHo euer gaue more honourable prize 632 To the sweet Muse, then did the Martiall crew; 633 That their braue deeds she might immortalize 634 In her shril tromp, and sound their praises dew? 635 Who then ought more to fauour her, then you 636 Moste noble Lord, the honor of this age, 637 And Precedent of all that armes ensue? 638 Whose warlike prowesse and manly courage, 639 Tempred with reason and aduizement sage 640 Hath fild sad Belgicke with victorious spoile, 641 In Fraunce and Ireland left a famous gage, 642 And lately shakt the Lusitanian soile. 643 Sith then each where thou hast dispredd thy fame, 644 Loue him, that hath eternized your name. 645 E. S. 646 627 628 To the Right Noble Lord and Most Valiant Captain, 629 Sir John Norris, Knight, Lord President of Munster

John Norris > (1547?-1597, a commander of the land forces in the
Netherlands during the Armada campaign)

630 631 Who ever gave more honourable prize

prize > prize; plunder

632 To the sweet Muse, than did the martial crew; 633 That their brave deeds she might immortalize

That > [In that]
brave > brave; splendid

634 In her shrill trump, and sound their praises due?

trump > trumpet-note

635 Who then ought more to favour her than you, 636 Most noble lord, the honour of this age, 637 And precedent of all that arms ensue?

precedent > pattern, model
arms ensue > seek after feats of arms; hence: follow a military
career

638 Whose warlike prowess and manly courage, 639 Tempered with reason and advisement sage

advisement > advice; prudence, consideration

640 Have filled sad Belgium with victorious spoil,

Belgium > {The Netherlands}

641 In France and Ireland left a famous gage,

gage > prize, military spoil

642 And lately shaken the Lusitanian soil.

Lusitanian > (A somewhat impolitic reference to the ill-fated Portugal expedition of 1589, in which Norris and Sir Francis Drake, with over 100 ships and some 20,000 soldiers, were sent to liberate Portugal from the Spanish)

643 Since then each where you have spread your fame,

each where > everywhere

644 Love him that has eternized your name. 645 E. S. 646 647 648 To the right noble and valorous knight, Sir Walter Raleigh, 649 Lo. Wardein of the Stanneryes, and lieftenaunt of 650 Cornewaile. 651 652 TO thee that art the sommers Nightingale, 653 Thy soueraine Goddesses most deare delight, 654 Why doe I send this rusticke Madrigale, 655 That may thy tunefull eare vnseason quite? 656 Thou onely fit this Argument to write, 657 In whose high thoughts Pleasure hath built her bowre, 658 And dainty loue learnd sweetly to endite. 659 My rimes I know vnsauory and sowre, 660 To tast the streames, that like a golden showre 661 Flow from thy fruitfull head, of thy loues praise, 662 Fitter perhaps to thonder Martiall stowre, 663 When so thee list thy lofty Muse to raise: 664 Yet till that thou thy Poeme wilt make knowne, 665 Let thy faire Cinthias praises bee thus rudely showne. 666 E. S. 667 647 648 To the Right Noble and Valorous Knight, Sir Walter Raleigh, 649 Lord Warden of the Stannaries, and Lieutenant of 650 Cornwall 651 652 To you, that are the summer's nightingale,

nightingale > (Cf. I:241)

653 Your sovereign goddess' most dear delight, 654 Why do I send this rustic madrigal, 655 That may your tuneful ear unseason quite?

unseason > {Strike or affect disagreeably}

656 You only fit this argument to write,

You only > [Only you are] argument > subject-matter

657 In whose high thoughts Pleasure has built her bower,

bower > chamber, retreat

658 And dainty love learned sweetly to indite. 659 My rhymes I know unsavoury and sour

know > [know to be too]

660 To taste the streams, that like a golden shower 661 Flow from your fruitful head, of your love's praise, 662 Fitter perhaps to thunder martial stour,

stour > conflict, tumult

663 Whenso you list your lofty Muse to raise:

Whenso > Whenever list > choose, please

664 Yet till you your poem will make known,

your poem > (The Ocean's Love to Cynthia, a paean to Queen Elizabeth)

665 Let your fair Cynthia's praises be thus rudely shown.

rudely > roughly, crudely

666 E. S. 667 668 669 To the right honourable and most vertuous Lady, the 670 Countesse of Penbroke. 671 672 REmembraunce of that most Heroicke spirit, 673 The heuens pride, the glory of our daies, 674 Which now triumpheth through immortall merit 675 Of his braue vertues, crownd with lasting baies, 676 Of heuenlie blis and euerlasting praies; 677 Who first my Muse did lift out of the flore, 678 To sing his sweet delights in lowlie laies; 679 Bids me most noble Lady to adore 680 His goodly image liuing euermore, 681 In the diuine resemblaunce of your face; 682 Which with your vertues ye embellish more, 683 And natiue beauty deck with heuenlie grace: 684 For his, and for your owne especial sake, 685 Vouchsafe from him this token in good worth to take. 686 E. S. 687 668 669 To the Right Honourable and Most Virtuous Lady, the 670 Countess of Pembroke

Countess of Pembroke > (Mary Herbert, Countess of Pembroke, 1555?-
1621, patroness of the arts; sister of Sir Philip Sidney)

671 672 Remembrance of that most heroic spirit,

heroic spirit > (That of Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-86, poet, soldier, and statesman: one of the Queen's favourites. Close friend of Spenser. Killed in action at Zutphen in the Netherlands)

673 The heavens' pride, the glory of our days, 674 Which now triumphs through immortal merit 675 Of his brave virtues, crowned with lasting bays

brave > splendid; courageous
bays > (Leaves or sprigs of the laurel, used to make a wreath for
conquerors or poets)

676 Of heavenly bliss and everlasting praise; 677 Who first my Muse did lift out of the floor, 678 To sing his sweet delights in lowly lays;

lays > songs, poems

679 Bids me, most noble lady, to adore 680 His goodly image living evermore,

goodly > well-favoured; gracious

681 In the divine resemblance of your face; 682 Which with your virtues you embellish more, 683 And native beauty deck with heavenly grace: 684 For his, and for your own especial sake, 685 Vouchsafe from him this token in good worth to take.

in good worth > at its true value; in good part

686 E. S. 687 688 689 To the most vertuous, and beautifull Lady, 690 the Lady Carew. 691 692 NE may I, without blot of endlesse blame, 693 You fairest Lady leaue out of this place, 694 But with remembraunce of your gracious name, 695 Wherewith that courtly garlond most ye grace, 696 And deck the world, adorne these verses base: 697 Not that these few lines can in them comprise 698 Those glorious ornaments of heuenly grace, 699 Wherewith ye triumph ouer feeble eyes, 700 And in subdued harts do tyranyse: 701 For thereunto doth need a golden quill, 702 And siluer leaues, them rightly to deuise, 703 But to make humble present of good will: 704 Which whenas timely meanes it purchase may, 705 In ampler wise it selfe will forth display. 706 E. S. 707 688 689 To the Most Virtuous and Beautiful Lady, 690 the Lady Carey

Lady Carey > (Lady Elizabeth Spencer Carey (or Carew), the Elder (fl. 1590), patroness of poets; dedicatee of Spenser's Muiopotmos (1590))

691 692 Nor may I, without blot of endless blame, 693 You, fairest lady, leave out of this place, 694 But, with remembrance of your gracious name, 695 Wherewith that courtly garland most you grace, 696 And deck the world, adorn these verses base: 697 Not that these few lines can in them comprise 698 Those glorious ornaments of heavenly grace 699 Wherewith you triumph over feeble eyes,

Wherewith > With which

700 And in subdued hearts do tyrannize: 701 For thereto does need a golden quill, 702 And silver leaves, them rightly to devise,

devise > tell, recount

703 But to make humble present of goodwill: 704 Which when timely means it purchase may,

timely > opportune, seasonable

705 In ampler wise itself will forth display.

In ampler wise > (A reference to Muiopotmos)

706 E. S. 707 708 709 To all the gratious and beautifull Ladies in the Court. 710 711 _THe Chian Peincter, when he was requirde 712 To pourtraict Venus in her perfect hew, 713 To make his worke more absolute, desird 714 Of all the fairest Maides to haue the vew. 715 Much more me needs to draw the semblant trew 716 Of beauties Queene, the worlds sole wonderment, 717 To sharp my sence with sundry beauties vew, 718 And steale from each some part of ornament. 719 If all the world to seeke I ouerwent, 720 A fairer crew yet no where could I see 721 Then that braue court doth to mine eie present, 722 That the worlds pride seemes gathered there to bee. 723 Of each a part I stole by cunning thefte: 724 Forgiue it me faire Dames, sith lesse ye haue not lefte_. 725 E. S. 726 727 728 708 709 To All the Gracious and Beautiful Ladies in the Court 710 711 The Chian Painter, when he was required

Chian Painter > (The artist from Chios (Scio), in the Aegean, who built a composite image of beauty from various sitters)

712 To portray Venus in her perfect hue,

Venus > (Goddess of love and beauty) hue > colours, appearance

713 To make his work more absolute, desired 714 Of all the fairest maids to have the view. 715 Much more me needs to draw the semblance true

me needs > [do I need]

716 Of beauty's Queen, the world's sole wonderment, 717 To sharpen my sense with sundry beauties' view, 718 And steal from each some part of ornament. 719 If all the world to seek I overwent, 720 A fairer crew yet nowhere could I see 721 Than that brave court does to my eye present,

that > [that which that] brave > splendid

722 That the world's pride seems gathered there to be.

That > [Such that]

723 Of each a part I stole by cunning theft: 724 Forgive it me, fair dames, sith less you have not left.

sith > since

725 E. S. 726 727 728 729 FINIS. 729 THE END

THE END > (These verses, and the letter to Raleigh, were originally placed at the end of Volume I)

=> THE FIRST 2 BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE. 4 Contayning THE LEGENDE OF THE 6 KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSSE, OR 8 OF HOLINESSE.

1 THE FIRST 2 BOOK OF THE 3 FAERY QUEEN 4 Containing 5 THE LEGEND OF THE 6 KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSS 7 or 8 OF HOLINESS

100.1

LO I the man, whose Muse whilome did maske,
2 As time her +taught+ in lowly Shepheards weeds,
Am now enforst a far vnfitter taske,
4 For trumpets sterne to chaunge mine Oaten reeds,
And sing of Knights and Ladies gentle deeds;
6 Whose prayses hauing slept in silence long,
Me, all too meane, the sacred Muse areeds
8 To blazon +broad emongst+ her learned throng:
Fierce warres and faithfull loues shall moralize my song.

2 taught > taught, 1590, 1609 8 broad emongst > 'broad, amongst 1609

1 Lo I, the man whose Muse whilom did mask,

Muse > (The nine Muses are usually represented as the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne (Memory); each goddess presides over an area of the arts and sciences and gives inspiration to its practitioners) whilom > formerly mask > {Disguise [herself]; take part in a masque or masquerade}

2 As time her taught, in lowly shepherd's weeds,

time > [her] term of apprenticeship shepherd > (Spenser's The Shepheardes Calender, a work of pastoral poetry, was published in 1579) weeds > clothes, garb

3 Am now enforced, a far unfitter task,

enforced > compelled [by the Muse]

4 For trumpets stern to change my oaten reeds,

stern > fierce oaten reeds > (Of which shepherds' pipes were supposedly made. Cf. SC, "October", 7-8)

5 And sing of knights' and ladies' gentle deeds;

gentle > noble; courteous, generous

6 Whose praises, having slept in silence long, 7 Me, all too mean, the sacred Muse areads

mean > unworthy, ignoble areads > counsels; instructs

8 To blazon broad amongst her learned throng:

blazon > proclaim (with additional meaning of describing or painting heraldic devices or armorial bearings) broad > widely, far

9 Fierce wars and faithful loves shall moralize my song.

100.2

Helpe then, {o^} holy Virgin chiefe of nine,
2 Thy weaker Nouice to performe thy will,
Lay forth out of thine euerlasting scryne
4 The antique rolles, which there lye hidden still,
Of Faerie knights and fairest Tanaquill,
6 Whom that most noble Briton Prince so long
Sought through the world, and suffered so much ill,
8 That I must rue his vndeserued wrong:
O helpe thou my weake wit, and sharpen my dull tong.

1 Help then, O holy virgin, chief of nine,

chief > chief, first; best (here Spenser is addressing either Clio, the Muse of history, or Calliope, the Muse of epic poetry; probably Clio. Clio is the first of the nine Muses in Hesiod's Theogony, and is usually represented with an open roll of paper or a chest of books. Spenser calls her "thou eldest Sister of the crew" at TM 53. See also 111.5:6-8, 303.4:6, 706.37:9, 707.1:1)

2 Your weaker novice to perform your will;

weaker > too-weak

3 Lay forth out of your everlasting scrine

scrine > {Casket or cabinet for archival papers}

4 The antique rolls, which there lie hidden still,

antique > ancient

5 Of Faery knights and fairest Tanaquil,

Faery > {An archaic variant of "fairy", used by Spenser to denote
the imaginary land, analogous to Britain, where his poem is set}
Tanaquil > (Caia Tanaquil, wife of Tarquinius Priscus, 5th King of
Rome (- 577 BC); an exemplary queen, taken as a type for the
Faery Queen. See 210.76)

6 Whom that most noble Briton prince so long

Briton prince > (Prince Arthur. For the origin of Arthur's quest for the Faery Queen, see 109.8-15)

7 Sought through the world, and suffered so much ill,

suffered > [for whom he suffered] ill > evil, distress

8 That I must rue his undeserved wrong: 9 O, help you my weak wit, and sharpen my dull tongue!

help you my > [help my; "you" intensifies the imperative mood] wit > wit; mind dull > dull, lacklustre; blunt

100.3

And thou most dreaded impe of highest Ioue,
2 Faire Venus sonne, that with thy cruell dart
At that good knight so cunningly didst roue,
4 That glorious fire it kindled in his hart,
Lay now thy deadly Heben bow apart,
6 And with thy mother milde come to mine ayde:
Come both, and with you bring triumphant Mart,
8 In loues and gentle iollities arrayd,
After his murdrous spoiles and bloudy rage allayd.

1 And you, most dreaded imp of highest Jove,

you > [Cupid, god of love, the son of Jupiter and Venus]
imp > child, scion
Jove > (Jupiter, the supreme deity of the Romans; Zeus of the
Greeks)

2 Fair Venus' son, that with your cruel dart

Venus > (Goddess of love and beauty, wife of Vulcan, mother of Cupid) dart > arrow

3 At that good knight so cunningly did rove

rove > shoot

4 That glorious fire it kindled in his heart; 5 Lay now your deadly ebon bow apart,

ebon > {Ebony, made of ebony, a tree of the family Ebenaceae, esp. Diospyros ebenus, producing hard black wood} apart > aside

6 And with your mother mild come to my aid:

mild > gracious, kind

7 Come, both; and with you bring triumphant Mars,

Mars > (God of war, the lover of Venus)

8 In loves and gentle jollities arrayed,

gentle > noble jollities > revelries

9 After his murderous spoils and bloody rage allayed.

allayed > grown mild

100.4

And with them eke, {o^} Goddesse heauenly bright,
2 Mirrour of grace and Maiestie diuine,
Great Lady of the greatest Isle, whose light
4 Like Ph{oe}bus lampe throughout the world doth shine,
Shed thy faire beames into my feeble eyne,
6 And raise my thoughts too humble and too vile,
To thinke of that true glorious type of thine,
8 The argument of mine afflicted stile:
The which to heare, vouchsafe, {o^} dearest dred a-while.

1 And with them eke, O goddess heavenly bright,

eke > also, in addition bright > bright; beautiful

2 Mirror of grace and majesty divine,

Mirror > Reflection; reflector; exemplar (he is now addressing Queen Elizabeth; the moment of uncertainty smoothly conflates her with both Venus and the "holy Virgin" of 100.2:1)

3 Great lady of the greatest isle, whose light

greatest isle > [Britain]

4 Like Phoebus' lamp throughout the world does shine,

Phoebus > (Phoebus Apollo, god of the sun; Elizabeth's light is elsewhere (e.g. 300.4:8) compared to that of the moon and (209.4:6) to that of the morning star)

5 Shed your fair beams into my feeble eyes, 6 And raise my thoughts, too humble and too vile,

vile > lowly, wretched

7 To think of that true glorious type of yours,

type > image, representation

8 The argument of my afflicted style:

argument > subject-matter afflicted > humble, lowly; contemptible (Latin afflictus) style > literary composition; hence: poem, song (cf. SC, "Januarie", 10)

9 Which to hear vouchsafe, O dearest dread, awhile.

dread > {Object of awe or reverence}