[295.] to move, moving. This is a French idiom.
[300.] As Eagle fresh out of the Ocean wave, etc. There was an ancient belief, that once in ten years the eagle would soar into the empyrean, and plunging thence into the sea, would molt his plumage and renew his youth with a fresh supply of feathers.
[312.] his bright deaw-burning blade, his bright blade flashing with the "holy water dew" in which it had been hardened (l. 317).
[322.] Ne molten mettall in his blood embrew, i.e. nor sword bathe itself in his (the dragon's) blood.
[335.] With sharpe intended sting, with sharp, outstretched sting.
[366.] the griped gage, the pledge (shield) seized (by the dragon).
[386.] missed not his minisht might, felt not the loss of its diminished strength; i.e. though cut off, the paw still held to the shield.
[xliv.] In comparing the fire-spewing dragon to a volcano, Spenser follows Vergil's Æneid, iii, 571, and Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered, iv, 8.
[406.] a goodly tree. Cf. Genesis, ii, 9, and Revelation, xxii, 2.
[409.] over all were red, everywhere were spoken of.