35 314. contended maid. The maid contended for.
36 344, 347. In these verses Dryden follows Chaucer, but states the thought more forcibly. He was undoubtedly glad of the chance to slap the powers that were.
38 400. share a single bed. Two lovers cannot marry the same woman.
38 414. From out the bars. Beyond the barriers,i.e., out of the lists.
38 415. recreant. Acknowledging defeat.
39 445. degrees. With the seats raised in tiers.
39 461. myrtle wand. The myrtle was sacred to Venus.
39 465. Queen of Wight. Diana, because she was goddess of the moon.
39 467. oratories. Places for prayer.
40483. Sigils. Literally, a seal or sign; here an occult sign or mark in astrology, another evidence of Dryden's leaning toward that so-called science, for Chaucer makes no such statement here.