341 To seem a shepherd then he made his choice, 342 But Sidney heard him sing, and knew his voice.
Sidney > (Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-86, poet, soldier, and statesman: one of the Queen's favourites. Close friend and mentor of Spenser. Killed in action at Zutphen in the Netherlands)
343 344 And, as Ulysses brought fair Thetis' son
Thetis' son > [Achilles]
345 From his retired life to manage arms,
manage > wield
346 So Spenser was by Sidney's speeches won
won > persuaded
347 To blaze her fame, not fearing future harms:
blaze > celebrate; portray