As fearefull fowle, that long in secret caue
2 For dread of soaring hauke her selfe hath hid,
Not caring how, her silly life to saue,
4 She her gay painted plumes disorderid,
Seeing at last her selfe from daunger rid,
6 Peepes +foorth+, and soone renewes her natiue pride;
She gins her feathers foule disfigured
8 Proudly to prune, and set on euery side,
So shakes off shame, ne thinks how erst she did her hide.
6 foorth > forth 1590
1 As fearful fowl (that long in secret cave 2 For dread of soaring hawk herself has hidden, 3 Not caring how, her silly life to save,
silly > silly; feeble, frail, insignificant
4 She her gay painted plumes disordered), 5 Seeing at last herself from danger rid,
rid > spared; delivered
6 Peeps forth, and soon renews her native pride;
native > natural, innate pride > magnificence, splendour ("in his pride" is a heraldic term applied to the peacock in splendour)
7 She begins her feathers foul disfigured 8 Proudly to prune, and set on every side,
prune > preen