101 and pleasing to common sense. For this cause is Xenophon
Xenophon > (In Cyropaedia)
102 preferred before Plato: for that the one, in the exquisite depth
before > [to] Plato > (In the Republic) for > [in]
103 of his judgement, formed a commonwealth such as it should 104 be; but the other, in the person of Cyrus and the Persians, 105 fashioned a government such as might best be; so much 106 more profitable and gracious is doctrine by example, than 107 by rule. So have I laboured to do in the person of Arthur: 108 whom I conceive (after his long education by Timon, to
Timon > (The "Faery knight" of 109.3:8. "Timon" is a Greek personal
name meaning "he who is honoured", "he who is held in respect".
Spenser is referring here to Sir Ector, to whom (in Malory)
Arthur's upbringing was entrusted by Merlin)
109 whom he was by Merlin delivered to be brought up, so soon
Merlin > (The great soothsayer and magician of the Arthurian cycle)
110 as he was born of the Lady Igerna) to have seen in a dream or
Igerna > (Widow of Gorlois, Duke of Tintagel, in Cornwall. She married Uther Pendragon, Arthur's father, thirteen days after the Duke's death)