English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700; Knights and knighthood -- Poetry; Virtues -- Poetry
His cruell stepdame seeing what was donne,
2 Her wicked dayes with wretched knife did end,
In death auowing th'innocence of her sonne.
4 Which hearing his rash Syre, began to rend
His haire, and hastie tongue, that did offend:
6 Tho gathering vp the +relicks+ of his smart
By _Dianes_ meanes, who was _Hippolyts_ frend,
8 Them brought to {AE}_sculape_, that by his art
Did heale them all againe, and ioyned euery part.
6 relicks > reliques _1609_
1 His cruel stepdame, seeing what was done,
2 Her wicked days with wretched knife did end,
3 In death avowing the innocence of her son.
4 Which hearing, his rash sire began to rend
sire > father
5 His hair, and hasty tongue that did offend:
6 Tho, gathering up the relics of his smart,
Tho > Then
the relics of his smart > [Hippolytus's remains, which give Theseus
mental pain]
7 By Diana's means, who was Hippolytus' friend,
Diana > (Virgin goddess of hunting and the moon; daughter of Jupiter
and Latona; sister of Apollo)
means > mediation, intervention, _hence:_ assistance
8 Them brought to Aesculapius, who by his art
9 Did heal them all again, and joined every part.
105.40
Such wondrous science in mans wit to raine
2 When _Ioue_ auizd, that could the dead reuiue,
And fates expired could renew againe,
4 Of endlesse life he might him not depriue,
But vnto hell did thrust him downe aliue,
6 With flashing thunderbolt ywounded sore:
Where long remaining, he did alwaies striue
8 Himselfe with salues to health for to restore,
And slake the heauenly fire, that raged euermore.
1 Such wondrous science in man's wit to reign,
science > knowledge, skill
wit > mind, intelligence, mental capacity
2 When Jove advised, that could the dead revive
advised > perceived
3 And fates expired could renew again,
fate > {Life, term of life allotted by the Fates}
4 Of endless life he might him not deprive,
not > (Because Aesculapius is a god and thus immortal)
5 But to hell did thrust him down alive,
6 With flashing thunderbolt wounded sore:
7 Where, long remaining, he did always strive
8 Himself with salves to health to restore,
9 And slake the heavenly fire that raged evermore.
105.41
There auncient Night arriuing, did alight
2 From her +nigh+ wearie waine, and in her armes
To {AE}_sculapius_ brought the wounded knight:
4 Whom hauing softly disarayd of armes,
Tho gan to him discouer all his harmes,
6 Beseeching him with prayer, and with praise,
If either salues, or oyles, or herbes, or charmes
8 A fordonne wight from dore of death mote raise,
He would at her request prolong her nephews daies.
2 nigh > high _1596, 1609_
1 There ancient Night, arriving, did alight
2 From her nigh weary wain, and in her arms
wain > chariot
3 To Aesculapius brought the wounded knight:
4 Whom having softly disarrayed of arms,
disarrayed of arms > relieved of armour
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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