[33.] From furthest Ynd, from farthest India.
[39.] unto a paled greene, a green inclosure (lists for a tournament) surrounded by a palisade.
[44.] his. An old method of forming the possessive, based on a misapprehension of the original Anglo-Saxon suffix -es, which was shortened in middle English to -is, and finally to s.
[45.] Both those, etc. Both Duessa and the shield are to go to the victor.
[65.] a Gryfon, a fabulous animal, part lion and part eagle. Gryfon is subject of encountereth with Dragon as object.
[89.] And sluggish german, etc., and sluggish brother dost relax thy strength to send his (Sansfoy's) foe after him, that he may overtake him. In ll. [86]-88 Sansjoy addresses his brother, in ll. [89]-90 himself. German is any blood relation.
[100.] The Knight supposed that Duessa's encouraging words were addressed to him.
[114.] Spenser here, with fine dramatic effect, imitates Homer, who saves Paris and Æneas by a similar device. Iliad, iii, 380, and v, 345.
[159.] teares. This mention of the man-eating crocodile's tears is based on an old Latin proverb. Sir John Mandeville repeats the story.
[172.] griesly Night. According to mythology (Hesiod's Theog., 123), one of the first things created, the daughter of Chaos, and mother of Æther (sky) and Hemera (day); also of Deceit, Strife, Old Age, and Vengeance. See xxii and xxvii.