touch > [to touch]
4 Some lingering life within his hollow breast, 5 Or in his womb might lurk some hidden nest 6 Of many dragonets, his fruitful seed;
fruitful seed > abundant offspring
7 Another said that in his eyes did rest 8 Yet sparkling fire, and bade thereof take heed; 9 Another said, he saw him move his eyes indeed.
112.11
One mother, when as her foolehardie chyld
2 Did come too neare, and with his talants play,
Halfe dead through feare, her litle babe reuyld,
4 And to her +gossips+ gan in counsell say;
How can I tell, but that his +talants+ may
6 Yet scratch my sonne, or rend his tender hand?
So diuersly themselues in vaine they fray;
8 Whiles some more bold, to measure him nigh stand,
To proue how many acres he did spread of land.
4 gossips > gossibs 1590 5 talants > talents 1590 etc.: FE
1 One mother, when her foolhardy child 2 Did come too near, and with his talons play, 3 Half dead through fear, her little babe reviled, 4 And to her gossips gan in counsel say:
gossips > friends, woman-friends gan > did in counsel > in private, in confidence
5 "How can I tell, but that his talons may 6 Yet scratch my son, or rend his tender hand?" 7 So diversely themselves in vain they fray;