1 Then, turning to his palmer, said, "Old sire,
sire > {Father; form of address to a holy or elderly man}
2 Behold the image of mortality,
image > emblem; personification
3 And feeble nature clothed with fleshly tire,
tire > dress, attire
4 When raging passion with fierce tyranny 5 Robs reason of its due regality, 6 And makes it servant to its basest part: 7 The strong it weakens with infirmity, 8 And with bold fury arms the weakest heart; 9 The strong through pleasure soonest falls, the weak through smart."
smart > pain; acute pain
201.58
But temperance (said he) with golden squire
2 Betwixt them both can measure out a meane,
Neither to melt in pleasures whot desire,
4 Nor +fry+ in hartlesse griefe and dolefull teene.
Thrise happie man, who fares them both atweene:
6 But sith this wretched woman ouercome
Of anguish, rather then of crime hath beene,
8 Reserue her cause to her eternall doome,
And in the meane vouchsafe her honorable toombe.