304.27

But ah, who can deceiue his destiny,
2 Or weene by warning to auoyd his fate?
That when he sleepes in most security,
4 And safest seemes, him soonest doth amate,
And findeth dew effect or soone or late.
6 So feeble is the powre of fleshly arme.
His mother bad him womens loue to hate,
8 For she of womans force did feare no harme;
So weening to haue arm'd him, she did quite disarme.

1 But ah, who can deceive his destiny,

deceive > prove false to; defraud

2 Or ween by warning to avoid his fate?

ween > intend; suppose, imagine

3 That when he sleeps in most security,

That > [His destiny]

4 And safest seems, him soonest does amate,

amate > daunt, subdue; also: act as a mate to (cf. esp. 109.45:4; Britomart can be said to personify the destiny foretold by Proteus)