3 For knight to leave his lady were great shame, 4 That faithful is, and better were to die. 5 All loss is less, and less the infamy, 6 Than loss of love to him that loves but one; 7 Nor may love be compelled by mastery;
compelled > constrained, overpowered mastery > superior force
8 For soon as mastery comes, sweet Love anon
Love > [Cupid] anon > straightway; (catachr.) soon
9 Takes his nimble wings, and soon away is gone.
soon > straightway; soon
301.26
Then spake one of those sixe, There dwelleth here
2 Within this castle wall a Ladie faire,
Whose soueraine beautie hath no liuing pere,
4 Thereto so bounteous and so debonaire,
That neuer any mote with her compaire.
6 She hath ordaind this law, which we approue,
That euery knight, which doth this way repaire,
8 In case he haue no Ladie, nor no loue,
Shall doe vnto her seruice neuer to remoue.
1 Then spoke one of those six, "There dwells here 2 Within this castle wall a lady fair, 3 Whose sovereign beauty has no living peer, 4 Thereto so bounteous and so debonair,
Thereto > Moreover debonair > affable, gracious