1 "But what are you, O lady, who do range 2 In this wild forest, where no pleasure is, 3 And do not it for joyous court exchange, 4 Amongst your equal peers, where happy bliss
peers > nobles; peers (those equally matched with her)
5 And all delight do reign, much more than this? 6 There you may love, and dearly loved be, 7 And swim in pleasure, which you here do miss;
do miss > lack, want; do without
8 There may you best be seen, and best may see: 9 The wood is fit for beasts, the court is fit for you."
203.40
Who so in pompe of proud estate (quoth she)
2 Does swim, and bathes himselfe in courtly blis,
Does waste his dayes in darke obscuritee,
4 And in obliuion euer buried is:
Where ease abounds, yt's eath to doe amis;
6 But who his limbs with labours, and his mind
Behaues with cares, cannot so easie mis.
8 Abroad in armes, at home in studious kind
Who seekes with painfull toile, shall honor soonest find.
1 "Whoso in pomp of proud estate," quoth she,
Whoso > Whosoever estate > rank, status; condition
2 "Does swim, and bathes himself in courtly bliss, 3 Does waste his days in dark obscurity, 4 And in oblivion ever buried is: 5 Where ease abounds, it's eath to do amiss;