With drawttys of deth]
Checkmate, the term at chess when the king is made prisoner, and the game consequently finished, is often used figuratively by our early writers. With the present lines compare the following passages:
“Wyth a draght he was chek mate.”
Kyng Roberd of Cysylle,—MS. Harl. 1701. fol. 93.
“But she had taken suche cold for the defaute of helpe that depe draughtes of deth toke her, that nedes she must dye,” &c. Morte d’Arthur, B. viii. c. i. vol. i. 247. ed. Southey.
v. 36. brynnyng] i. e. burning.
v. 40. rew] i. e. have pity.
v. 43. shylde] i. e. shield.
v. 45. dyne] i. e. dun, dark.
v. 46. boteles bale] i. e. remediless sorrow.