long space > [for a] long time
8 With shrilling shrieks, Proteus abroad did rove, 9 Along the foamy waves driving his finny drove.
drove > {A number of beasts driven in a body, usually sheep, oxen, etc., but here, seals}
308.30
Proteus is Shepheard of the seas of yore,
2 And hath the charge of Neptunes mightie heard;
An aged sire with head all +frory+ hore,
4 And sprinckled frost vpon his deawy beard:
Who when those pittifull outcries he heard,
6 Through all the seas so ruefully resound,
His charet swift in haste he thither steard,
8 Which with a teeme of scaly Phocas bound
Was drawne vpon the waues, that fomed him around.
3 frory > frowy 1590, 1596; cf. 308.35:2
1 Proteus is shepherd of the seas of yore,
yore > old
2 And has the charge of Neptune's mighty herd; 3 An aged sire, with head all frory hoar,
sire > {Father, elderly man} frory > foamy (with connotation of the primary sense, "frosty") hoar > {Venerable with age; ancient; silver-grey like hoar-frost}