Many diuisis passynge curyously]
It is plain that Skelton, while writing these complimentary stanzas, consulted Boccaccio De Claris Mulieribus: there this lady is called Thamyris (see, in that work, “De Thamyri Pictrice,” cap. liiii. ed. 1539). Her name is properly Timarete; she was daughter to Mycon the painter; vide Plinii Nat. Hist.: honde, i. e. hand: diuisis, i. e. devices.
Page 396. v. 857. toke] i. e. took.
v. 860. corage ... perfight] i. e. heart, affection ... perfect.
—— lady Elisabeth Howarde] Was the third daughter of the second Duke of Norfolk by his second wife, Agnes Tylney, daughter of Sir Hugh Tylney, and sister and heir to Sir Philip Tylney of Boston, Lincolnshire, knight (I follow Howard’s Memorials of the Howard Family, &c.; Collins says “daughter of Hugh Tilney”). Lady Elizabeth married Henry Ratcliff, Earl of Sussex.
v. 865. Aryna] i. e. perhaps—Irene. In the work of Boccaccio just referred to is a portion “De Hyrene C[r]atini filia,” cap. lvii.; and Pliny notices her together with the above-mentioned Timarete.
v. 866. konnyng] i. e. knowledge.
v. 867. wele] i. e. well.
v. 868. enbewtid] i. e. beautified.
v. 870. lusty ... loke] i. e. pleasant ... look.