47 39. Lycurgus. King of Thrace; he persecuted Bacchus, and was made mad by that god. In his madness he slew his son under the impression that he was cutting down vines. The country now produced no fruit, and the inhabitants carried the impious king to Mount Pangaeus, where he was torn to pieces by horses. 48 63. Emetrius. A creation of Chaucer's whom Dryden follows. Notice the poet's unusual representation of an Indian prince with fair complexion and yellow hair. 48 88. Upon his fist he bore. It was customary in the time of Chaucer to hunt with tame falcons, which were carried perched upon the wrist when not after quarry. 49 99. So Bacchus through the conquered Indies rode. Bacchus, a son of Jupiter, was the god of wine. His birth and up-bringing were attended with dangers bred by the jealousy of Juno. When full grown, Juno drove him mad, and in this state he journeyed over the earth. He spent several years in India, introducing the vine and elements of civilization. It was on his return that he was expelled from Thrace by Lycurgus. 49 103. prime. Early morning, the first hour after sunrise. 49 109. harbinger. One who provides or secures lodgings for another, from the Old French herbegtsr, whence harbor. 49 120. Phosphor. Light bringer, from phos and phero. 49 124. preventing. With the literal significance of the word, coming before, i.e., he rose before day. 50 134. Thy month. May referred to as the month of Venus, since it is, in the poets, particularly a season for love-making. 50 145. gladder. Thou who makest glad. 50 146. Increase. Offspring of Jove. 50 147. Adonis. A beautiful youth, loved by Venus, with whom he spent eight months of the year. When he was killed by a boar, so great was the sorrow of the goddess, that the deities of the nether world allowed her to possess him for half of each year. 51 164. Notice the force of Palamon's request. He cares not so much for glory of conquest as for the delights of possession. His prayer is answered, for, though conquered, he eventually weds Emilia. 51 168. your fifth orb. The heavens werel supposed to consist of concentric hollow spheres called orbs, and the sun, moon, stars, and planets moved in their respective orbs, the planet Venus in the fifth. 51 169. clue. Thread. 51 172. And let the Sisters cut below your line. The sisters are the three Fates. Clotho spun the thread of life, Lachesis held it, and Atropos cut it. Palamon is willing that the Fates end his life, if they will first allow him to enjoy love. 51 191. Cynthia. Another name for Diana, from Mount Cynthus, her birthplace. 51 193. Vests. Vestments, robes. 52 200. Uncouth. Literally, unknown, hence strange. 52 205. Well-meaners think no harm. Compare the famous epigram adopted by the Order of the Garter: "_honi soit qui mal y pense_" (shamed be he who thinks evil of it). This order was founded during Chaucer's life, and this sentiment may have been in his mind.