Behind her farre away a Dwarfe did lag,
2 That lasie seemd in being euer last,
Or wearied with bearing of her bag
4 Of needments at his backe. Thus as they past,
The day with cloudes was suddeine ouercast,
6 And angry Ioue an hideous storme of raine
Did poure into his Lemans lap so fast,
8 That euery wight to shrowd it did constrain,
And this faire couple eke to shroud themselues were fain.
1 Behind her far away a dwarf did lag, 2 That lazy seemed, in being ever last, 3 Or wearied with bearing of her bag 4 Of needments at his back. Thus as they passed,
needments > necessaries passed > passed; and perhaps: paced
5 The day with clouds was suddenly overcast, 6 And angry Jove a hideous storm of rain
Jove > [the heavens personified] hideous > terrific; hence: violent, torrential
7 Did pour into his leman's lap so fast
leman > mistress; wife (the Earth portrayed as the lover of Heaven)
8 That every wight to shroud it did constrain;
wight > person, creature, being shroud > take shelter; shelter (sb.)
9 And this fair couple eke to shroud themselves were fain.