4 And said, "Old sire, it seems you have not read
sire > {Father; form of address to an elderly man; the original form of "sir"} read > discerned; thought; understood
5 How ill it sits with that same silver head
sits with > suits, befits (see Textual Appendix)
6 In vain to mock, or mocked in vain to be: 7 But if you are as you are portrayed 8 With nature's pen, in age's grave degree, 9 Aread in graver wise what I demand of you."
Aread > make known; declare wise > manner demand > ask, inquire (the modern sense is rather too strong)
108.34
His answere likewise was, he could not tell.
2 Whose sencelesse speach, and doted ignorance
When as the noble Prince had marked well,
4 He ghest his nature by his countenance,
And calmd his wrath with goodly temperance.
6 Then to him stepping, from his arme did reach
Those keyes, and made himselfe free enterance.
8 Each dore he opened without any breach;
There was no barre to stop, nor foe him to empeach.
1 His answer likewise was, he could not tell. 2 Whose senseless speech, and doted ignorance,
doted > deranged, weak-headed