24. LAZARS. Leprosy was a common disease in England even as late as the sixteenth century. 49. MALVENU, ill-come, as opposed to _Bienvenu_, welcome. 73. LIKE PHOEBUS FAIREST CHILDE, Phaethon, the son of Helios. He was killed by a thunderbolt from the hand of Zeus, as a result of his reckless driving of the chariot of the sun. 86. A DREADFULL DRAGON, Fallen Pride. 94. This genealogy of Pride is invented by the poet in accord with the Christian doctrine concerning this sin. 107. SIX WIZARDS OLD, the remaining six of the Seven Deadly Sins, Wrath, Envy, Lechery, Gluttony, Avarice, and Idleness. See Chaucer's _Parson's Tale_ for a sermon on these mortal sins, Gower's _Dance of the Seven Deadly Sins_, and Laugland's _Piers Plowman_. 145. COCHE. Spenser imitates Ovid and Homer in this description of Juno's chariot. The peacock was sacred to the goddess, who transferred to its tail the hundred eyes of the monster Argus. See Ovid's _Metamorphoses_, i, 625 _seq_. 157. WITH LIKE CONDITIONS, etc. The behests were of a kind similar to the nature of the six Sins. 174. HE CHALENGED ESSOYNE, he claimed exemption. 185. LIKE A CRANE. This refers to Aristotle's story of a man who wished that his neck were as long as a crane's, that he might the longer enjoy the swallowing of his food. _Nic. Ethics_, iii, 13. 205. A DRY DROPSIE, a dropsy causing thirst. 236. UPON A CAMELL, etc. The reference is to a story in Herodotus' _History_ (iii, 102 _seq_.), in which the Indians are described as carrying off on camels gold dust hoarded by enormous ants. 252. UNTO HIM SELFE UNKNOWNE, i.e. being ignorant of his own wretchedness. 309. UNTHRIFTY SCATH, wicked damage, or mischief that thrives not. 313. THE SWELLING SPLENE. The spleen was the seat of anger. 314. SAINT FRAUNCES FIRE, St. Anthony's fire, or erysipelas. Diseases were named from those who were supposed to be able to heal them. 335. WITH PLEASAUNCE, etc. Fed with enjoyment of the fields, the fresh air of which they went to breathe. 437. AND HELPLESSE HAP, etc. It does no good to bemoan unavoidable chance. 440. PAY HIS DEWTIES LAST, pay his last duty to the shade of the slain man by sacrificing his murderer. 443. ODDES OF ARMES, chances of mishap in arms due to some advantage of one's antagonist. QUESTIONS AND TOPICS (Canto IV)