81. Phebus here passes the palace-gates; in other words, the sun enters the sign of Taurus, and so comes into Venus' chamber, within her palace. Cf. note to l. 54.
In Chaucer's time, the sun entered Taurus on the twelfth of April. This is actually mentioned below, in l. 139.
84. Knokkeden, knocked at the door, i. e. demanded admission.
86. That is, both Mars and Venus are now in Taurus. The entry of Venus is noticed in l. 72.
89. The latter syllable of Venus comes at the cæsural pause; but the scansion is best mended by omitting nygh; see footnote.
96. In the Shepheards Kalendar, Mars is said to be 'hot and dry'; and Venus to be 'moist and colde.' Thus Mars was supposed to cause heat, and Venus to bring rain. The power of Venus in causing rain is fully alluded to in Lenvoy to Scogan, st. 2.
100. Girt, short for girdeth; not gerte, pt. t.
104. Nearly repeated in Kn. Tale, 1091 (A 1949):—'Ne may with Venus holde champartye.'
105. Bad her fleen, bade her flee; because her motion in her orbit was faster than his. Cf. l. 112.
107. 'In the palace (Taurus) in which thou wast disturbed.'