302 303 304 FAyre Thamis streame, that from Ludds stately towne, 305 Runst paying tribute to the Ocean seas, 306 Let all thy Nymphes and Syrens of renowne 307 Be silent, whyle this Bryttane Orpheus playes: 308 Nere thy sweet bankes, there liues that sacred crowne, 309 Whose hand strowes Palme and neuer-dying bayes, 310 Let all at once, with thy soft murmuring sowne 311 Present her with this worthy Poets prayes. 312 For he hath taught hye drifts in shepeherdes weedes, 313 And deepe conceites now singes in Faeries deedes. 314 R. S. 315 302 303 304 Fair Thames' stream, that from Lud's stately town
Lud > (A mythical king of England, reputed founder of London (see 210.46:1 and cf. Cymbeline IV ii 100))
305 Run paying tribute to the ocean seas,
ocean seas > {The main or great seas of the world}
306 Let all your nymphs and Sirens of renown
nymphs > (Minor female divinities with whom the Greeks peopled all
parts of nature: the seas, springs, rivers, grottoes, trees,
mountains)
Sirens > (Sea-nymphs whose sweet singing had the power to lure sailors
to their destruction)
307 Be silent, while this Briton Orpheus plays:
Orpheus > (A mythical minstrel whose wonderful music could move rocks and trees and suspend the torments of the damned in hell)
308 Near your sweet banks there lives that sacred crown
crown > monarch