High aboue all a cloth of State was spred, 2 And a rich throne, as bright as sunny day, On which there sate most braue embellished 4 With royall robes and gorgeous array, A mayden Queene, that shone as _Titans_ ray, 6 In glistring gold, and peerelesse pretious stone: Yet her bright blazing beautie did assay 8 To dim the brightnesse of her glorious throne, As enuying her selfe, that too exceeding shone. 1 High above all a cloth of state was spread, cloth of state > {Baldachin, canopy suspended on pillars above throne} 2 And a rich throne, as bright as sunny day, 3 On which there sat, most brave embellished brave > splendidly 4 With royal robes and gorgeous array, 5 A maiden queen, that shone as Titan's ray, that > who (if the pronoun refers to Lucifera rather than the throne; the intention is not entirely clear) Titan > (The sun personified. In this context the name also brings to mind the Titans, who sought to dethrone Zeus (Jove); they are synonymous with rebellion and the overthrow of order. And the phrase "_Titans_ ray" prepares the reader for a description of Phaethon in the next stanza) 6 In glistering gold and peerless precious stone: 7 Yet her bright blazing beauty did essay essay > attempt 8 To dim the brightness of her glorious throne, 9 As envying herself, that too exceeding shone. 104.9 Exceeding shone, like _Ph{oe}bus_ fairest childe, 2 That did presume his fathers firie wayne, And flaming mouthes of steedes vnwonted wilde 4 Through highest heauen with weaker hand to rayne; Proud of such glory and aduancement vaine, 6 While flashing beames do daze his feeble eyen, He leaues the welkin way most beaten plaine, 8 And rapt with whirling wheeles, inflames the skyen, With fire not made to burne, but fairely for to shyne. 1 Exceeding shone, like Phoebus' fairest child, Phoebus' fairest child > (Phaethon, son of Phoebus Apollo [Titan], who took his father's chariot and set the world on fire: killed by Jupiter with a thunderbolt. See 311.38, _Met._ 2.1 ff.) 2 That did presume his father's fiery wain presume > usurp wain > chariot 3 And flaming mouths of steeds, unwonted wild mouths > [control] unwonted > unaccustomedly, unusually (referring to Phaethon's handling of the reins) 4 Through highest heaven with weaker hand to rein; weaker > too-weak; _or:_ weaker (than his father's hand) rein > (Or reign; a typically Spenserian pun) 5 Proud of such glory and advancement vain, 6 While flashing beams do daze his feeble eyes, 7 He leaves the welkin way most beaten plain, welkin > {Sky, skyey, heavenly; welkin way: the sun's path through the sky} 8 And, rapt with whirling wheels, inflames the skies rapt > carried away, enraptured 9 With fire not made to burn, but fairly to shine. fairly > gently, entirely, properly 104.10