[170] II. 967-973.
[171] A planet was said to be combust when its light was extinguished by proximity to the sun. When Venus and Mercury were ‘combust’ their influence was lost.
[172] III. 712-718. It is sometimes hard to determine whether the beings prayed to are pagan gods and goddesses or heavenly bodies. This passage makes it clear that the planets were identified with the pagan divinities. In the rest of this prayer Troilus addresses Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, etc., as gods, referring in each case to some love affair, from ancient myth, that may win the god’s sympathy and help.
[173] III. 1254-1257. The “wel-willy planete” means the propitious or favorable one.
[174] V. 638-644. Troilus needs the aid of Venus especially on the tenth night after Criseyde’s departure, because she had promised to return on that night.
[175] F. 129-130.
[176] II. 71-76.
[177] Knightes Tale, A. 1079.
[178] Ibid. 1084-1091.
[179] A. 1163-69.